STAUNTON, Va. – Federated will be a national corporate partner of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign in 2012, a program that delivers new toys and the magic of Christmas to less fortunate children each holiday season. The partnership will kick off at the Richmond International Raceway (RIR) during race weekend (Sept. 7-8) for the Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
“We believe in the mission of the Marine Toys for Tots campaign and look forward to helping collect toys and donations for this extremely worthwhile organization,” said Mike Schultz of Federated Auto Parts. “When we announced at our annual meeting that we were working with Toys for Tots, we raised $65,000 in about 10 minutes, so to say our members and associates are excited about this partnership is an understatement. We look forward to kicking off our partnership at the Federated 400 in Richmond and thank the Marines and everyone at RIR for their support during race weekend.”
Several U.S. Marines will be on site at RIR to discuss Toys for Tots during race weekend. A seven-ton Marine truck and a M777 Howitzer will be on site as well. Federated spokesman and NASCAR driver Kenny Schrader, who will be driving the Federated Sprint Cup Car in the Federated 400, will make an appearance at the Toys for Tots site during the weekend. As part of the campaign launch, Federated will present a check for the $65,000 raised at the annual meeting to Toys for Tots prior to the race.
“We are very pleased to welcome Federated Auto Parts as a Toys for Tots corporate partner,” said LtGen. Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), president and CEO of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Kicking off our partnership at the Federated Auto Parts 400 is a terrific way to encourage NASCAR fans nationwide to support Toys for Tots. With their generous support, we will be able to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of thousands of less fortunate children who otherwise might have been forgotten this year.”
Federated and its members will collect toys and money for Toys for Tots from October through December at participating Federated Auto Parts stores throughout the country.
About Toys for Tots
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 66th year, Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy or book during the Christmas holiday season. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
