Lexington PD wrapping up annual Fill the MRAP for Toys for Tots today

Lexington, SC 12/14/2021 (Paul Kirby) – The Lexington Police Department is closing out their annual Fill the MRAP program for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign this year. They will conclude the successful toy drive with an special event at Learning Express on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. this afternoon.

To date, over 2,000 toys have been donated to the Lexington PD efforts to help families who are struggling during the 2021 Christmas season. A spokesman for the Department said in a prepared statement that their staff members we're beyond thankful for the generosity of the citizens of the Town of Lexington and the surrounding community for their continued support of this annual effort.

Each year, officers from the Lexington Police Department strategically place their Special Weapons and Tactics team’s armored vehicle (MRAP) at retailers around town. People who felt led to do so can shop for a toy at that retailer, or bring any new, unwrapped toy with them, and then donate the toy that is placed inside the MRAP. Every year, the MRAP is filled multiple times and all those toys are donated to the Toys for Tots campaign. At the appointed time, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves distribute the toys to families who have made application earlier in the fall.

The Reserves have been continually running the Toys for Tots program since 1947 when Diane Hendricks, the wife of Major Bill Hendricks of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, made a doll for a needy child to receive for Christmas. Since that first doll was given, millions of toys of all types have been collected and distributed worldwide.