In support of this initiative and in the spirit of National Fishing Week, Toys for Tots partnered with local Toys for Tots Coordinator Gina Capate to host a hands-on fishing event in Maple Shade, New Jersey—giving foster children a chance to connect with nature in a fun, supportive setting.
On a warm morning, 24 local foster children gathered by the water not just to learn how to fish, but to experience something deeper: a sense of belonging. Alongside volunteers, local leaders, and law enforcement officers—many of whom personally invited and mentored the children—they practiced patience, teamwork, and resilience. What organizers fondly referred to as the “Cops and Boppers” event became more than recreation—it was a powerful example of how relationships and trust are built through shared, positive experiences.
Each child left with a fishing pole and a bag of their own, but also with something far more enduring: the feeling that their community sees them, values them, and is willing to invest in their happiness. Moments like these may seem small, but their impact can be lasting—planting seeds of confidence and possibility that extend far beyond a single day.
“This fishing event was about more than spending time on the water—it was about creating moments where children feel supported, encouraged, and included,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity to spark confidence that can last a lifetime.”
These experiences reflect the heart of Give and Go: Outdoor Adventures Start with You—ensuring children have access to outdoor opportunities that build confidence, curiosity, resilience, and joy.
But for millions of underserved children, access to these opportunities is far less certain. Safe outdoor play, educational toys, and enriching books are not always within reach.
And yet, they matter just as much.
“Outdoor experiences help children discover confidence, patience, and a sense of possibility that stays with them long after the day ends. Every child deserves the chance to step outside, try something new, and realize what they are capable of,” said Lieutenant General Laster.
It is often in these moments that children begin to recognize their own potential. These aren’t grand experiences, but they are powerful ones. Through Give and Go: Outdoor Adventures Start with You, donations are transformed into fishing poles that teach new skills, soccer balls that spark a new hobby, books that ignite curiosity about the world, or games that encourage creativity and problem-solving. These experiences create space for children to simply be children.
This is what the American public’s generosity makes possible—and why outdoor play, educational toys, and meaningful experiences remain at the heart of Toys for Tots’ mission. Every donation helps ensure that moments like this aren’t the exception—but something all children can count on.
Because Outdoor Adventures Start with You—and every child deserves to be celebrated.
To learn more about Toys for Tots or to donate, visit toysfortots.org.
For more information, please visit:
Media Contact
Company Name: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
Contact Person: Ted Silvester, Chief Revenue Officer
Email: Send Email
Phone: (703) 649-2021
City: Triangle
State: Virginia
Country: United States
Website: https://www.toysfortots.org/
