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Albuquerque, NM - The United States Marshal Service in New
Mexico partnered with the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States
Probation Office, and the United States District Court Clerk’s Office and raised
over 280 new toys for the United States Marine Corps annual “Toys for Tots”
charity. The toy drive ran December 1-14 at both the Albuquerque and Las Cruces
offices.
United States Marshal Conrad Candelaria commented “In a recent news story, an
echo for help was heard from organizers of the renowned Toys for Tots program,
with steadfast determination the Marshals Service for the District of New Mexico
answered that call for help by partnering with the Honorable Ken Gonzales,
United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, along with the United
States Probation Office, United States District Court Clerk’s Office to collect
toys for New Mexico’s children. I am honored to be a part of this heartfelt
community event and know that our combined efforts will bring a smile to over
280 children; on behalf of the Marshals Service for the District of New Mexico,
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2012”
Toys for tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USMC Ret. and a group of
Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy
children. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted
Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. That year,
Marine Corps Reserve units across the nation conducted Toys for Tots campaigns
in each community in which a Marine Reserve Center was located. Marines have
conducted successful nationwide campaigns at Christmas each year since 1948. The
initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to “bring
the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children”.
More information for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program can be found at
http://www.toysfortots.org/
Additional information about the U.S.
Marshals Service can be found at
http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency |
