It’s a Record-breaking Year for Donations to the Marine Toys for Tots Program Hosted by Navy Federal Credit Union

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 23, 2024--

It is the 27 th year of partnership between Navy Federal Credit Union and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. With over 90% of Navy Federal’s global branch network serving as collection sites, members and team members donated over 23,000 new, unwrapped toys to support families in need this holiday season—roughly a 53% increase in impact from last year’s donation drive at the credit union.

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"Our branches are at the core of this campaign, and we had a record-breaking year of engagement with more than 330 branches worldwide collecting toys,” said Captain Keith Hoskins (USN Retired), Executive Vice President of Branch Operations at Navy Federal. “Our team members embody our core value of championing communities where we serve, which has amplified our successful partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation."

In addition to dropping off toys in branches, donors had the option to give online directly to the Toys for Tots Foundation. Navy Federal exceeded last year’s giving totals for the campaign, generating over $48,000 in monetary donations with support from members and team members.

"Finding a present under the tree on Christmas morning is an experience every child deserves," said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, Vice President of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Navy Federal Credit Union has certainly done more than its fair share to help us bring that joy to children whose families have suffered so much. This has been an especially difficult year to raise funds and toy donations, so Navy Federal Credit Union’s effort in support of the Marine Toys for Tots program nationwide will allow us to fulfill the holiday dreams of thousands of more children.”

Toys for Tots is just one way Navy Federal is spreading hope this holiday season. Team members near the credit union’s campus locations in Vienna and Winchester, Virginia; San Diego, California; and Pensacola, Florida, fulfilled wish lists for over 250 families through the employee-driven Project Neighbors Program. Families benefiting from the program were selected by local school districts and nonprofit organizations in the region.

About Navy Federal Credit Union: Established in 1933 with only seven members, Navy Federal now has the distinct honor of serving more than 14 million members globally and is the world’s largest credit union. As a member-owned and not-for-profit organization, Navy Federal always puts the financial needs of its members first. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, Veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. Navy Federal employs a workforce of over 24,000 and has a global network of more than 360 branches. For more information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Marine Toys for Tots Program: Toys for Tots, a 77-year National charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to economically disadvantaged children across the Nation through the gift of a new toy or book. Providing toys, books, and other gifts to disadvantaged children offers recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Since 1947, the Program has evolved and grown exponentially, having delivered hope and the magic of Christmas to over 301 million children in need. Because the need isn’t just at Christmastime, the Marine Toys for Tots Program also provides support year-round to families experiencing challenges and exceptional circumstances, thus fulfilling the hopes and dreams of millions of disadvantaged children beyond the holidays. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Navy Federal collects over 23,000 toys for the Toys for Tots program. (Photo: Business Wire)

Navy Federal volunteers and Quantico Marines collect toys for families in need. (Photo: Business Wire)

MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — Mourners laid flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack on Monday as investigators puzzled over the motive of the suspect and fears swirled that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society.

The Johanniskirche, a church a short walk from the scene of the attack, has become a central place of mourning since the suspect drove a car into the busy market on Friday evening, killing five people. A carpet of flowers now covers the broad sidewalk in front of the church.

Prosecutors said the number of injured has risen to as many as 235 as more people have reported to hospitals and doctors, but it's possible there was some double-counting.

Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. They say he does not fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks. The man described himself as an ex-Muslim who was highly critical of Islam and in many posts on social media expressed support for the far-right.

“The Magdeburg perpetrator had repeatedly attracted attention by threatening crimes. There were also warnings about him but, according to what is known so far, his political statements were so confused that none of the security authorities' patterns fitted him," Justice Minister Volker Wissing was quoted as telling the Funke newspaper group.

He said Germany may have to “draw consequences for our security architecture” and that a serious debate about that will be needed, “but it's still too early for that" as facts and questions remain open.

The country's vice chancellor voiced fears that the attack will fuel online misinformation ahead of a national election expected in late February. He urged people to “take time for the truth” and said: “Don't let yourselves be infected by hatred.”

“There is still a lot we don't know and a lot is unexplained, including the exact motive,” Robert Habeck said in a video posted Sunday. “All the same, I fear that the distrust that was immediately propagated on the net against Muslims, foreigners and people with a history of immigration will entrench itself deeper in society”

On Sunday night, police in the port city of Bremerhaven said they detained a man who threatened crimes at a Christmas market there in a TikTok video. German news agency dpa reported that he had said he would stab any people of Arabic appearance there on Christmas Day.

Mobile vehicle barriers can be seen behind the stalls at the Christmas market on Rotkreuzplatz, early Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Munich. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

Mobile vehicle barriers sit behind stalls at the Christmas market on Rotkreuzplatz, early Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Munich. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

People lay flowers and lit candles in front of the Johannis church close to the Christmas market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

People walk at the Christmas Market, where a car drove into a crowd on Friday evening, in Magdeburg, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Flowers, candles, wreaths and stuffed animals lie in front of St. John's Church, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Madgeburg, Germany, after a car drove into a Christmas market on Friday. (Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/dpa via AP)