The United States Marine Corps kicked off their 51st Annual Toys for Tots program on Long Island on Monday at Papa Razzi restaurant in Westbury. The purpose of the program is to make the holidays brighter for disadvantaged children.

The Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Marine Corps for nearly 52 years, depends on the voluntary contribution of toys, services and support from concerned local citizens. The Long Island effort is coordinated by Major Chuck Kilbride, of Levittown. Kilbride, who has been in the Marines for over 27 years, has been active in the Toys for Tots program for many of those years.

Congressman Rick Lazio, state honorary chair of this year's event, told those gathered for the program's kickoff that he looks forward to the Toys for Tots program all year long. He explained that it was an honor to be able to "help so many who have so little." He went on to thank everybody who contributes to this annual effort to make sick and disadvantaged children's lives brighter.

Lt. Governor Mary O. Donohue was also present for the kickoff and spoke about how a program such as this is symbolic of what is important and teaches us all to give of ourselves. She went on to speak about how important the partnership between public and private entities is in an effort such as this.

One of the organizations that has gotten behind the Toys for Tots program is the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. "As small business owners in local communities across Nassau County, we will again help the Toys for Tots campaign bring smiles to the faces of children across Nassau County this holiday season," said Gary Hudes, vice chairman of the Toys for Tots campaign and president of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. "Participating Chamber of Commerce members will have boxes at their locations encouraging their customers to bring new, unwrapped toys for hospitalized and underprivileged children."

Local business leaders play a key role in the success of the program by allowing Marines to locate collection receptacles in their stores; by providing free warehouse space during October, November and December for sorting and storing toys; by providing vehicles to collect toys from collection sites; by sponsoring toy and fund raising events; and by helping Marines receive maximum media exposure for Toys for Tots.

While the Marines organize, coordinate, and manage the program, they note that the ultimate success of Toys for Tots depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.

Lt. Gen. Matthew Cooper, Toys for Tots Foundation President complimented New York on having one of most enthusiastic responses to the program. Lt. Gen. Cooper went on to tell the story of how the Toys for Tots program began and how the US Marine Corps became the sponsors of the program. In 1947, US Marine Major Bill Hendricks' wife made a doll that she wanted to be given to an underprivileged child. Recognizing that there was no organization that distributed toys to needy children, Major Hendricks, with the support of members of his Los Angeles Marine Corps Reserve Unit, collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The program was so successful that it was adopted by the Marine Corps in 1948 and expanded nationwide as the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Since that first year, the Marines have collected over 220 million toys for needy children.

Lt. Gen. Cooper noted that it is not the toy itself that matters, but what the toy signifies to the children. He explained that the toy signifies to sick and needy children that they are cared about and haven't been forgotten during the holidays.

Last year was the most successful Toys for Tots campaign yet, with 11.2 million toys being distributed to 4.8 million children. Cooper noted that there are 338 communities throughout the nation participating in this year's effort and the Marine Corps' goal is to exceed last year's numbers.