CHICAGO, IL — May 3, 2007 — The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation will celebrate 60 years of delivering joy and inspiration to children this holiday season with the introduction of a commemorative tin of Santa’s Cookies at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Show beginning May 6, 2007, here at the McCormick Place.
Produced and distributed by Bayport Cottage, the special tins of Santa’s Cookies will be available at participating grocery and specialty retailers beginning October 2007. For each tin sold, Bayport Cottage will donate $1 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Bayport Cottage set a goal to raise $1 million dollars, enabling Toys for Tots to deliver a message of hope and inspiration to 100,000 children.
"The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is committed to making this year’s toy drive the most successful in its 60 years of service," said Lt. Gen. Matthew T. Cooper, USMC (Ret.), President and CEO, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "With the help of Bayport Cottage and the Food Marketing Institute, the Marines will deliver a message of hope to needy youngsters and help them experience the joy of the holidays."
"We are proud to support a cause to help bring holiday cheer to millions of needy children," said FMI Senior Vice President Brian Tully. "We encourage all retailers and wholesalers to visit the Toys for Tots booth number 2025 to see how they can make a difference in the lives of America’s children."
Toys for Tots had its humble beginning in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks, USMCR and a group of Marine Reservists collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children in Los Angeles. Since then, Toys for Tots has grown to serve nearly 560 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Last year, Toys for Tots delivered 19.4 million toys to 7.6 million children. With more than 13 million children living in poverty, the FMI and Bayport Cottage answered the call to help Toys for Tots meet its goal to deliver a toy to every child in need this year.
To become a retailer of the commemorative tin of Santa’s Cookies and join Toys for Tots in celebrating 60 years of delivering joy to children, contact Bayport Cottage at (804) 744-6177.
About the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity, is the authorized fund raising and support organization for the 60-year-old U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. The Foundation provides the funding and support needed for successful annual toy collection and distribution campaigns. The foundation is located at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Local Marine Corps Reserve units and volunteer organizations collect and distribute toys in nearly 560 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
About the Food Marketing Institute
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) conducts programs in research, education, industry relations and public affairs on behalf of its 1,500 member companies — food retailers and wholesalers — in the United States and around the world. FMI’s U.S. members operate approximately 26,000 retail food stores with a combined annual sales volume of $340 billion — three-quarters of all retail food store sales in the United States. FMI’s retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 companies from 50 countries.
About Bayport Cottage
Bayport Cottage, LLC produces and distributes premium quality baked goods under the Bayport Cottage label. In addition to traditional retail programs, Bayport Cottage specializes in the development of cause-based programs, working with not-for-profits and retailers in raising funds for and supporting worthy causes. For more information on retail and cause-based programs, call (804) 744-6177.
Toys for Tots Contact:
Misti Dragano (410) 263-5312, mdragano@1stdegree.com
Food Marketing Institute Contact:
Bill Greer (202) 220-0667, wgreer@fmi.org
Bayport Cottage Contact:
Kevin Weber (804) 744-6177, weber@bayportcottage.com
Industry Topics address your specific area of expertise with resources, reports, events and more.
Our Research covers consumer behavior and retail operation benchmarks so you can make informed business decisions.
Events and Education including online and in-person help you advance your food retail career.
Food Safety training, resources and guidance that help you create a company food safety culture.
Government Affairs work — federal and state — on the latest food industry policy, regulatory and legislative issues.
Get Involved. From industry awards to newsletters and committees, these resources help you take advantage of your membership.
Best practices, guidance documents, infographics, signage and more for the food industry on the COVID-19 pandemic.
