The United States Marine Corps Reserve and Dunkin’ today celebrated the launch of the 2024 edition of the Capital Region Toys for Tots program, which again this year will feature the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Dunkin’ Toys for Tots Train. The train returned last year, supplemented by a tractor trailer convoy, to deliver toys and holiday cheer to children and families throughout the Capital Region and other parts of upstate New York.
Today’s announcement was highlighted by a $25,000 donation to Capital Region Toys for Tots from Dunkin’ and its Capital Region franchisees, marking the 16th consecutive year that Dunkin’ has supported the signature holiday initiative. The donation will be utilized during a shopping spree next month, when Dunkin’ franchisees will join the Marines to purchase toys that will then be delivered to children in communities throughout upstate New York.
This year’s donation brings Dunkin’s total support of the holiday collection campaign to $450,000 since 2009. This year also marks the 77th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Capital Region Toys for Toys program, which is now the largest Toys for Tots campaign in the world.
“Dunkin’ is honored to contribute to the efforts of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and its signature holiday initiative,” said Capital Region Dunkin’ franchisee Natasha Teixeira. “We are thrilled again this year to celebrate the return of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Dunkin’ Toys for Tots Train, which is itself a vehicle of holiday spirit. Bringing joy to children is a goal Dunkin’ strives to accomplish throughout the year and especially during the holiday season.”
“We are grateful to our most longstanding and loyal partner, Dunkin’, for 16 years of unwavering support to underwrite our mission of delivering cheer to those in need during the holiday season,” said U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Staff Sgt. Pat Lurenz, local coordinator of the Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign. “The enormous generosity of the Capital Region community, Dunkin’ and numerous other local companies and organizations will help bring new toys to thousands of children across New York this holiday season.”
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Dunkin’ Toys for Tots Train has been a cherished tradition for more than a decade, featuring large crowds of children and adults at each designated depot to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Delivery of the toys transitioned from the rails to the highway and a convoy of trucks from 2019 to 2022. Now back for the second year in a row, the holiday train will take to the rails on Saturday, Dec. 7 in partnership with Amtrak and Norfolk Southern Railway.
The 2024 toy collection drive will take place at approximately 700 locations throughout the Capital Region. These include more than 100 Dunkin’ restaurants, which will serve as drop-off points for guests wishing to donate new, unwrapped toys.
Capital Region Toys for Tots and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will work with more than 250 community agencies in 14 counties across the state to serve more than 400,000 children this holiday season.
Representatives from Capital Region Toys for Tots and Dunkin’ were joined by local supporters for today’s kick-off of the holiday campaign at the Shaker Logistics Warehouse in Waterford. Shaker Logistics is storing toys for Capital Region Toys for Tots while construction is underway on their permanent warehouse in Mechanicville. In 2022, Capital Region Toys for Tots received an in-kind donation of a warehouse from Mechanicville business owner Kevin Koval of Adirondack Basement Systems. The Mechanicville warehouse was offered to the Capital Region Toys for Tots program rent-free for the next decade, courtesy of Koval, for year-round storage as the hub for all local Toys for Tots activities and volunteers.
The Capital Region Toys for Tots chapter receives additional support from numerous companies and organizations throughout the greater Capital Region, including Adirondack Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Albany County Sheriff’s Office; Amazon; Auto Solutions; Big Tony’s; Bove Fuels; Broadview Federal Credit Union; Cooney and Tyner Orthodontics; Clifton Park and Halfmoon EMS; Curtis Lumber; Dunkin’; iHeart Radio; Kevin Koval; Lia Auto Group; Loiselle Trucking Associates; Matt Chauvin; Menands Police Department; Roman Empire Logistics, LLC; Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office; Shaker Logistics; Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office; Schenectady Fire Department; and Schenectady Police Department.
Businesses or individuals interested in making donations can contact Toys for Tots at [email protected].
Capital Region Toys for Tots serves 14 counties across upstate New York, including: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties.
Dunkin’ franchisee Natasha Teixeira (center) speaks at the kickoff of this year’s Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign at a press conference in Waterford on Friday, Oct. 18. This is Dunkin’s 16th year of partnership with Toys for Tots, and this year’s donation brings Dunkin’s total support of the holiday collection campaign to $450,000 since 2009. Additionally, Toys for Tots collection boxes will be placed in more than 100 Dunkin’ restaurants throughout the area and will serve as drop-off points for guests wishing to donate new, unwrapped toys
Marine Corps Reserve Staff Sgt. Pat Lurenz (center) speaks at the kickoff of this year’s Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign at a press conference in Waterford on Friday, Oct. 18
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