Help the Carolina Panthers and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation deliver the magic of the holidays to more than 35,000 less fortunate children across the Carolinas with their annual toy collection.
Fans can contribute to Toys for Tots by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the Panthers game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 9 at Bank of America Stadium. Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will be at each gate when the stadium opens at 11 a.m. to collect the toys. Fans can also visit http://www.toysfortots.org/touchdown through Dec. 24 to sponsor a toy for a child.
In 2011, Panthers fans donated more than 20,000 toys and $11,000 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The collection at Bank of America Stadium ranked first in the NFL and was the largest in team history.
"Last season, Carolina Panthers fans generated the largest Toys for Tots drive in the NFL, which provided the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves with unprecedented resources to serve children across the region," said Riley Fields, Carolina Panthers director of community relations. "This holiday season will again be challenging for many families in the Carolinas, so this is a great opportunity for Panthers fans to again bring holiday joy to children in our community."
Since 1947, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has delivered a message of hope to underprivileged children throughout the United States with the gift of a new toy during the holiday season. Last year, Marines distributed toys to more than 7.2 million children nationwide. With 15 million children currently living in poverty in the United States, the need for Toys for Tots is greater than ever.
"We are thankful to the owners, players and fans of the Carolina Panthers for their support of Toys for Tots," said Lt. General Pete Osman, USMC (Ret), president and chief executive officer of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "The efforts of Panthers fans will enable Toys for Tots to fulfill the Christmas holiday dreams of less fortunate children throughout North and South Carolina."
