Wouldn't it be nice to bring a little joy into the life of a low-income boy or girl, especially at the holidays? For thousands of HUD employees across the nation, it's easy to do, because they support the annual Toys for Tots campaign conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.

HUD Headquarters is proud to launch its Toys for Tots campaign beginning today, December 9th through December 19th, and many HUD field offices also are proudly taking part in local Toys for Tots drives. In fact, anyone interested in sharing the spirit of the season can find names and contact numbers for thousands of local coordinators nationwide (www.toysfortots.org/2002/) on the Toys For Tots website. Just select your state from the "Toy Drive in Your Community" box (on the bottom left of the page) and click "Go."

Wherever you make your gift, it goes to a low-income kid in your own community. Headquarters HUD Toys for Tots holiday gifts will bring smiles to the faces of needy children - from toddlers to teenagers - in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. Beginning today, Headquarters employees are encouraged to share the joys and toys of the season by bringing in new, unwrapped toys and placing them in collection boxes in the North and South lobbies.

Toys for Tots has enjoyed over a half century of success in its mission because of the support of millions of caring Americans like you, local communities, gifts from corporate America - and the dedication and hard work of thousands of U.S. Marines. Beginning in 1947, when Marines collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children in Los Angeles, California, Toys for Tots has grown dramatically over 55 successive campaigns. This is Toys for Tots 55th anniversary, and the program has brought joy, smiles, and helped change lives for poor kids all across the nation.

Last year, HUD Headquarters collected 375 toys, and your thoughtful contribution will help us reach this year's goal - or even beat last year's total! Large and small gifts alike are welcome, but please contribute only new, unwrapped toys. Your gift toys do not need to be expensive, but we always get back more than we give when we help others less fortunate than ourselves.