(NewsUSA) - Our Nation mourns for the communities of Northern Florida, where residents were so tragically affected by Hurricane Idalia. The Marine Toys for Tots Program recognizes that need extends far beyond the holiday season, and we stand ready to assist when hope and relief are needed most.

The families living in the counties of Taylor, Lafayette, and Suwannee have suffered devastating losses, and the financial and emotional fallout will be long lasting—especially for those without the means to recover. In order to provide comfort, emotional relief, and hope to these families, Toys for Tots plans to distribute toys, books, and other gifts to the children of these communities.

Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good, providing hope and emotional relief to families experiencing challenging circumstances. Our local Toys for Tots campaigns in Taylor, Lafayette, and Suwannee Counties are working together to ensure that the children who lost so much will be reminded that there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. Our Coordinators throughout the Nation work tirelessly from October-December to provide something tangible to economically disadvantaged children on Christmas morning.

However, we can’t anticipate when natural disasters will strike and are extremely fortunate to have our volunteer Coordinators who are ready, willing, and able to provide support on short notice.  They are rallying to provide assistance to the children of families who lost so much as a result of Hurricane Idalia.

Toys for Tots will be providing support to over 12,000 children throughout the three Northern Florida Counties. Our amazing Coordinators who oversee the campaigns near the affected areas are working together to organize distribution events through local organizations over the next few weeks.

“Over the past few years, families across our Nation have faced tremendous challenges, but the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Idalia has added to the severity of hardships that the families in the communities of Taylor, Lafayette, and Suwannee Counties must overcome,” said LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

“The Marine Toys for Tots Program recognizes the need outside of the holiday season, and we want to do what we can to provide hope for these families and offer our assistance now,” he said. “We are extremely proud of our Coordinators who work beyond the holiday season and our network of nonprofit partners that are able to assist us in providing emotional relief to the children living in these Florida communities as soon as possible.” 

Marine Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good – because children need hope for a brighter tomorrow beyond the holiday season. To support the efforts to ease the suffering of families impacted by Hurricane Idalia and to support other year-round efforts, visit www.toysfortots.org.