United States Marine Major Chuck Kilbride, coordinator, kicked off the Annual Toys for Tots campaign with an outstanding program and luncheon at Papa Razzi restaurant on Jericho Turnpike, Westbury that attracted an overflowing crowd of dignitaries jammed together to lend support to Major Kilbride and his traditionally successful Toys for Tots campaign on Long Island.

Major Kilbride during the ceremonies announced that last year the entire Toys for Tots program collected in excess of 12 million toys distributed to 5 million disadvantaged children and that only touches 1/3 of the needy children. 300,000 toys were collected in Nassau County and this year the Marines hope to top that goal by at least 2,000 toys.

Marine Lt. General M. T. Cooper, retired, who serves as the Toys for Tots Foundation president, explained that back in 1947 Marine Major Bill Hendricks started the Toys for Tots program, with just a handful of his Marine buddies, when after his wife made a Raggedy Ann Doll to be donated to some needy child he could not find any organization that was geared for that task. The program was so successful that in 1948 the Marine Corps adopted the program and it soon expanded nationwide.

At that time Major Hendricks was friendly with Walt Disney and he implored him to design a logo for the program which he did, the traditional Toys for Tots Train along with the Raggedy Ann doll, another trademark of the program.

Although the Marines organization coordinates and manages the program, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of those who donate toys. Local businesses play a major role in allowing the Marines to place receptacles in their stores and by providing free warehouse space during Oct., Nov. and Dec. for sorting and storing toys; by providing vehicles to collect toys from collection sites; by sponsoring toy and fund-raising events and by helping the Marines receive maximum media exposure for the Toys for Tots program.

Lt. General Cooper ended his brief statement by quoting an old proverb that states, "If you want peace for a day, go fishing; if you want peace for a month, get married, but if you want peace for a lifetime, do something for others, which sums up the whole concept of the Toys for Tots Program."

It was also announced that the Toys for Tots Program delivers now to North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Children's Oncology Unit and Joseph A. Kochen MD, Ph.D. in charge of the Oncology Department gave a brief speech stating how wonderful it was for the children when the toys are delivered. He brought with him one of his little patients Marlyse Nugent along with her sister Susan and mom and Cathy and Bob of New Hyde Park. The entire group of dignitaries fell in love with little Marlyse and her sister Susan who were both overwhelmed by the attention.

This year the New York State Honorary Chairperson for the Toys for Tots campaign is Congressman Rick Lazio and he was present along with New York State Lt. Governor Mary Donohue, LaDane Williamson, who presented a check for $5,000 to the program and pop singer Jana who sang the National Anthem.