Past Events 2006
U.S. Marines Deliver Christmas Toys
As part of the U.S. Marines' annual "Toys for Tots" drive, on December 20 and December 21, 2006 the U.S. Marine Detachment of the Embassy delivered two large donations of toys as well as household supplies to an abused mothers' refuge in Budapest and to a foundation helping Roma and other disadvantaged children in Esztergom. The toys, sweets and toiletries from the Embassy community had been collected by the Marines through a three-week period preceding Christmas, lovingly wrapped by Embassy volunteers donating time from their lunch breaks and also assisted by their children, and delivered to their destination by Santa's elves who in the out-of-season period double as Marines, diplomats and other Embassy staff.
Toys for Tots is a 49-year tradition of the U.S. Marines. Its goal is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. In 2005, Toys for Tots delivered more than 18.5 million toys to over 7.4 million children. The Marines introduced this noble tradition of delivering toys to children in need in Hungary a few years ago.