Toys for Tots & the Jesus Doll:

[popgun]

Toys for Tots & the Jesus Doll:

After a lot of what I have heard lately about the Marines Toys for Tots Program, and their refusal to accept the Jesus dolls, I decided to return to my research & investigating mode, and do some checking.
I think the U.S. Marines and the Toys for Tots Program is getting a bum rap, and that this could hurt their endeavors for this coming Christmas Season.
Since 1947 Toys for Tots has been collecting toys for children during the Christmas season.
In 1980 the decision was made to give only brand new toys, instead of the sometimes used and repaired toys, they had been giving up to that time. The idea was to spread the “joy” of Christmas giving, and to promote the idea that the poor children were just as deserving of “new toys”, as the more affluent. There was also a change in attitude towards the safety of the children and the sometimes unsanitary condition of used toys.

The Marines have changed a lot over the last few years, and the New Marines are not as blunt as they were in the past. Perhaps this is one of the reasons the refusal to accept the Jesus doll came out too soft, and really didn’t hit the problem in the head as it should have.
The Marines Toys for Tots Program is not really non-denominational, but rather interdenominational. Those in charge of the program cannot, and won’t, get into the theology of Christmas.
They feel that theology is a subject best left to the parents and various churches, and I happen to agree.

I personally think that when the proposed gift of 4,000 of these Jesus dolls was refused, the company, Beverly Hills Teddy Bears, Inc, owned by One2believe, got their precious feelings hurt and went to the press in southern California. Now the press has taken over and is damaging the reputation of the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Program.

Did you know that the Jesus doll was introduced in May 2005, and were projecting sales of 50,000 units by the end of that year?
Did you know that the sales weren’t that good, and that the company is simply attempting to get rid of an overstocked and poor selling item?
These Jesus dolls were intended to sell for $24.95 each and won’t sell for $20.00.
If the company can give them away to the Toys for Tots Program, they can deduct over $80,000 as a gift to charity.
Did you know that the Jesus doll is programmed for only 5 Bible verses?
Did you know that One2believe is a ministry?
One2believe has a mission statement that states they want over 10 million children to learn 50 Bible stories before the end of 2007.
Did you know that the Jesus doll is a teaching tool and not a considered a toy?
Did you know that the Jesus doll has not undergone the testing, that toys must go through, to be approved by the Safety Council?

For the sake of argument, please look at the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
You will see what the mission, goals, objectives, and activities are.

For the sake of argument, please look at http://www.one2believe.com/ , and see what the objective, mission, and activities of this “Jesus doll ministry” is about.
Please check the link, http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/12/news...s/jesus-dolls/
I invite you to check for yourself at http://www.w-s-o.com/Beverly/index.htm
and see for yourself what sort of items the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company actually sells.
Did you notice that they sell wholesale closeouts?

The Toys for Tots program distributed over 18 million stuffed animals, games, toy trucks, and other gifts to children just in 2005.

I would hate to see this program suffer, because of a disgruntled business manager of a small toy company that was trying to beat the tax man.

Did you know that the monetary donations given to the Toys for Tots Program are spent in stores selling toys?

In order to make up the difference in what is needed and what is actually donated, the Toys for Tots buyers are issued a special credit card funded by these donations.
Some of the States do not have a State Sales Tax, or have exempted the Marine Corps from paying the sales taxes on these purchases.

If you really want to get behind a just cause, I suggest you try to convince the States of Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington to exempt the Toys for Tots Foundation from paying Sales Taxes.

Just think of all the new toys that could be purchased for the needy children with the money now spent by the Toys for Tots Foundation in sales taxes.

Kids really do want a toy for Christmas that is fun, not just a left-over teaching tool that wouldn’t sell.

Thanks for your attention, Jeff aka (….popgun)

[horst]

Popgun, couldnt get this link to work, I think its the one I wanted to read to.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/12/news...s/jesus-dolls/

[popgun]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/12/news...s/jesus_dolls/

Sorry, try this one.
....popgun

[Gator]

I had a feeling there was more to the story than what we were being told. Thanks popgun!!

[oldksnarc]

I think Toys for Tots is a great program and have donated to it for years. Also, I don't disagree with the business side of this issue.

However, if you take Christ out of it it's not Christmas - it's a winter entitlement program for disadvantaged youths. Did they remove dinosaur toys from the program? Teaching evolution is OK but Christ or religion isn't?

The holiday is not about toys but rather about religion and their going to take religion out of it? And, if it's not about religion then the taxes need to be paid.

[wtnhunt]

[ QUOTE ]
The holiday is not about toys but rather about religion and their going to take religion out of it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Have to agree with what oldksnarc says here. Unfortunately the removal of religion such as this is demonstrating here in my opinion is a big part of what is wrong with todays society and the weakening sense of morals and values.

[Newarcher]

I will surprise many with my thoughts on this....

I certainly wouldn't like a muslim doll of allah with say a cap gun in his turbin that shouts 'kill the infidels'.

I wouldn't like a David Koresh doll spouting anti-us and such.

While the talking Jesus doll woulnd't be spouting hatred and such, to a muslim or a buddist or a wiker that might be offensive. I would hate to be a buddist and have my only present from TFT be a Jesus doll...honestly.

I just see that this is a reasonable decision. God doesn't force himself on anyone so why should we? Now if the kids asked for one and the TFT Marines had one, I don't see a problem with them receiving one.

New

[Andrea]

[ QUOTE ]
I will surprise many with my thoughts on this....

I certainly wouldn't like a muslim doll of allah with say a cap gun in his turbin that shouts 'kill the infidels'.

I wouldn't like a David Koresh doll spouting anti-us and such.

While the talking Jesus doll woulnd't be spouting hatred and such, to a muslim or a buddist or a wiker that might be offensive. I would hate to be a buddist and have my only present from TFT be a Jesus doll...honestly.

I just see that this is a reasonable decision. God doesn't force himself on anyone so why should we? Now if the kids asked for one and the TFT Marines had one, I don't see a problem with them receiving one.

New

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, this is the same argument used for taking prayer out of school. And here's what I think:

If you don't like it........then don't participate. (prayer)

As for the toys........if the little wickers and muslims don't like that toy, then they could be offered an alternative gift.

[wtnhunt]

Amen Andrea. If you dont like it dont accept it or ignore it, but dont expect others to cahnge what they do just for you. This I am offended crap has gotten way too far out of hand in this country.

[Newarcher]

I agree Andrea.....an alternate gift would satisfy me. I just don't want it to be a 'take this Jesus doll or nothing'.

New

[popgun]

I guess the issue has been resolved.
The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation has decided to accept the donation of the Jesus Dolls, and thinks that they have somewhere in mind that they can distribute them.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061116/...doll_charity_2

….popgun

[Andrea]

[ QUOTE ]
I guess the issue has been resolved.
The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation has decided to accept the donation of the Jesus Dolls, and thinks that they have somewhere in mind that they can distribute them.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061116/...doll_charity_2

….popgun

[/ QUOTE ]


SEMPER FI!!!!