This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Toys for Tots: Where to Donate in Bowie

A handy guide to donating toys this holiday season.

In 1947, Diane Hendricks made a doll and asked her husband, Maj. Bill Hendricks, US Marine Corps Reserve, to find a local charity in the Los Angeles area that would give it to a needy child. When he was unable to locate one, she suggested that he start one.

That year, Maj. Hendricks teamed with other Marine reservists, collecting and distributing 5,000 toys to children that year.

In 1948, the Marine Corps adopted the Toys for Tots program and it has been running steadily since, with the help of celebrities such as Bob Hope, Kenny Rodgers and First Lady Michelle Obama. One little known fact – Walt Disney designed the organization’s logo.

Find out what's happening in Bowiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You can drop off toys at any Toys and/or Babies R Us, or one of the locations in Bowie listed below.

Beall Funeral Home: Matthew Sarkis
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6512 NW Crain Hwy, Bowie, Maryland, 20715
443-995-8298
matsar01@yahoo.com

Find out what's happening in Bowiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ettienne's Premier Pediatric Care: Rachel Bigelow
Mon-Thurs 8:30am-4:30pm (closed 12:30-1:30 for lunch); Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
2905 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, Maryland, 20716
301-390-7960
racheleppc@gmail.com

ezStorage: Patricia Hall
9:30am to 6:00pm Mon thru Fri, 9 am to 5 pm Saturday thru Sunday
14211 Gallant Fox Lane, Bowie, Maryland, 20715
703-483-1517
phall@ezstorage.com

Glory Days Grill: Brandon O'Neill 
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
15505 Annapolis Road , Bowie, Maryland, 20715 
301-805-5299
bowie@glorydaysgrill.com

Heartfields at Bowie: Kirk Fleming
24/7
7600 Laurel Bowie Road, Bowie, Maryland, 20715
301-805-8422
kfleming@5sqc.com

Klotz Institute of Karate: Pam Welch
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
13617 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland, 20720
443-989-0458
welchtown@hotmail.com

Liberty Travel- Bowie Town Center: Martinique Person
9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
15401 Excelsior Drive, Bowie, Maryland, 20716
301-352-0005
personm@libertytravel.com

: Michelle Melvin
8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays
13405 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland, 20720
301-262-1313
michelle_melvin@melvinmotors.com

Patuxent Nursery & Complete Landscaping: Adrienne
7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2410 North Crain Highway, Bowie, Maryland, 20716
301-218-4769
adrienne@patuxentnursery.com

The Washington Savings Bank: Stacy Orem
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4201 Mitchellville Road #100, Bowie, Maryland, 20716
301-352-3100
sorem@twsb.com

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?