Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame Presents U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots with Toys and $3,000

Photo, (l. to r.) Corporal Mitchell Barstow, US Marine Corp and Sergeant Dylan Desousa, US Marine Corp

Lawrence Reid, President of the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, the state’s prestigious organization that “exists to honor and recognize, and to extol and publicize the achievements of those Rhode Island men and women who have made significant contributions to their community, state and/or nation,” conducted a ceremony on Sunday, December 7th at Heritage Hall of Fame (HHoF) Headquarters in East Providence.

The Board and others donated toys and a check for $3,000.00 to representatives of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Sergeant Dylan Desousa and Corporal Mitchell Barstow, who are both active members of our military.

The U.S. Marines have long championed the “Toys for Tots” program which donates toys and helps needy families throughout the United States during the holiday season.  In 2024, the Toys for Tots Foundation donated over 195,000 toys to over 30,000 children in Rhode Island alone and are looking to up that total to providing toys to 36,000 children this year.  The impact of the annual Toys for Tots campaign nationwide is enormous for the underprivileged and needy who would not have Christmas without it!

President Reid said, “We are truly honored to partner with the U.S. Marines this year and appreciate the work of our Board members to organize our toy drive and raise money for needy children throughout Rhode Island.  This is what the holidays should be all about!”

Reid remarked that the HHoF hoped to make this an annual partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps and said he hoped to “significantly increase our efforts next year as well.”

More information on how to support Toys for Tots in RI – HERE.