Muller Martini and U.S. Marines collect toys for youngsters in need as part of annual “Toys for Tots” drive

There is perhaps nothing more heartwarming than the smile on a child’s face after receiving a new toy for the holidays. Yet, for the more than 13 million U.S. children living in poverty, making the holiday season a happy one may require help from others.  For the fourth straight year, Muller Martini Corp. of Hauppauge, Long Island teamed with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to help make the holidays special for disadvantaged local children by gathering toys for donation.

The effort was part of the annual Marine “Toys for Tots” Program, which through the gift of a shiny new toy provides happiness and hope to children who might otherwise be overlooked at holiday time.  Among the goals of the program are to instill confidence in children and to provide them with a positive memory that could last a lifetime.

Muller Martini employees collected hundreds of toys toward the effort and the company’s Vice President of Operations Dan Denue presented the toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves during a special ceremony held at Muller Martini headquarters in Hauppauge.  “It is truly an honor to be able to do what we can both as a company and as individuals to help make the holidays a little brighter for less fortunate children here on Long Island,” said Mr. Denue.  “I’m extremely proud of our employees, who as they have every year for the past four years, again demonstrated their kindness and generosity toward this very worthy cause.”

Each year during October, November and December the U.S. Marines collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them as holiday gifts to local children as part of the “Toys for Tots” program.  This year marks the 60th anniversary for the “Toys for Tots” tradition.  In 2006, “Toys for Tots” delivered more than 19.2 million toys to over 7.6 million children.