There’s no doubt about it – the holidays are upon us and we’re well on our way to counting down to the New Year that lies just ahead. In keeping with the spirit of the season we’d like to welcome Sergeant Harvey Walden to our December People Who Care section. Most of you will know him best as the fitness instructor on VH1’s wildly popular CELEBRITY FIT CLUB. With DVD’s and workout merchandise available to help work off those inevitable extra holiday pounds, he’s also recently released a new book ‘HARVEY WALDEN’S NO EXCUSES FITNESS WORKOUT’ in which he shares his boot-camp routines for a healthier and more active lifestyle year-round. What you may not know about Sergeant Walden is that, since 1989, he’s been a strong supporter of the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation — and that’s why we’re honoring his favorite charity by making it our default beneficiary throughout the month.
After serving for more than 20 years in the US Marine Corps, Harvey retired from active duty in June 2007. During his career he was actively involved with and become a big supporter of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Since it’s inception in 1947, the Toys for Tots program has grown steadily year over year becoming one of the most successful and widely known toy drives in the nation. It finally received its Foundation status in 1991 and was approved as an official activity of the US Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve by the Secretary of Defense in 1995. Since that time, this charitable endeavor has made the US Marines the unchallenged leaders in looking after children of all ages at Christmas. While poverty and homelessness continue to be serious challenges both domestically and abroad, Toys For Tots grandly embraces the spirit of giving for millions of needy children. In 2006 alone, more than 19.2 million toys were collected and distributed to 7.6 million children in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. While drop-off locations are readily available in hundreds of communities from coast to coast, recent exposure by the press concerning toys produced with lead paint and other toxic materials has made the public wary of which toys to give and has put a damper on the number of toys currently being collected. With that in mind, please know that cash donations are also greatly appreciated in order to ensure the program’s continued success.
At nonprofitshoppingmall.com, we wholly support the efforts of Toys For Tots and proudly feature their long-time partner, Toys R Us on our Retail Top-40 Page. Because Toys For Tots is our default beneficiary through the month of December, we encourage anyone shopping for toys of any sort to start here. Any and all purchases made through our online mall will help raise the additional funds needed by the Marine Corps to continue their tradition of giving.
And while POINTS OF LIGHT & HANDS ON NETWORK are no longer our featured nonprofit beneficiary, it certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t need volunteer help now and throughout the months to come. If you missed last month’s PEOPLE WHO CARE feature with Nicole Forrester and Robert Newman from television’s GUIDING LIGHT, please take a look at their archived interview. We hope that we’re correct in believing that the holidays tend to bring out the spirit of generosity in most of us and that sharing time with those less fortunate is a great gift indeed.We’ve got lots more to share in the coming days – watch for our blog highlighting International Volunteer Day on December 5, our updated and expansive guide to Green Shopping and meet some of our new nonprofit partners.
March 25th, 2008
In reference to Srgnt. Harvey Walden, I would like to say that all of the accomplishments that you have progress over the years have really impressed me. And now you’re a role model to me. I know that you are blessed and will continue to be blessed all the days of your life.
Until the moon loses it’s preseverance and it’s glow , I know that you will continue to achieve all that you persue, and all that others look up to you for.
I only hope that one day I meet the man behind the positive aspects of all that he do.
Thank You,
D. Robinson
Brooklyn, NY