Beaufort County Toys for Tots has launched a search for a United States Marine — active, reservist or retired — to assume leadership in the campaign to provide toys to families in Beaufort, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

Ideally, Beaufort County Toys for Tots needs someone to head up the program and be the voice and face of the local initiative. That person would not only serve as the liaison for local Marine bases, but he or she would also serve as a medium in which local businesses, organizations, churches and others in the community could communicate and support through donation of toys.

According to Rich Morin, who currently heads the program, the Marine would have the continued support of the Washington (noon) Rotary, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, St. Peters Episcopal Church, Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children and the Washington Harbor District Alliance and other organizations.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks. The following year, the initiative was launched as a national campaign.

In 1995, the U.S. Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. As of 2013, the program and Foundation have collected and distributed more than 494 million toys to over 230 million less-privileged children.

Toys for Tots is a worthy cause. As a project that distributes brand new toys to needy families, one that is headed by the U.S. Marine Reserve, Toys for Tots should be headed by a Marine.

Beaufort County’s program would like to see a U.S. Marine take the reins, to be the point person between the program and the community. It would provide a perfect opportunity for those participating and receiving to express their thanks for his or her service to the United States, as well, according to Morin.

If an active, reservist or retired U.S. Marine is interested in hearing more about Beaufort County Toys for Tots’ needs, contact Rich Morin at 252-402-6156. For more information about Toys for Tots, visit toysfortots.org.