Toys for Tots reverses policy, accepts donated Jesus dolls

Toys for Tots reverses policy, accepts donated Jesus dolls
Marine Reserve program had told company its contribution wasn't usable

A Toys for Tots program that is run each Christmas season has reversed its position, and now will accept a donation of Jesus dolls that earlier had been rejected, officials have confirmed.

The change came from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Quantico, Va., whose chief, Bill Grein, earlier had said the donation of 4,000 dolls couldn't be accepted because the donations could end up in a Muslim or Jewish household.

He later backtracked, and said he contacted the potential donor and said the toys would be accepted.

"Sometimes in the rush of our very busy Toys for Tots toy raising season (October – December 1) I have to make quick and difficult decisions," Grein said in an e-mail sent to a program supporter. "In this case, I knew that it would take us extra time to find homes for religious dolls because every family will not accept them; not even Christian families."

He said his grounds for rejecting them initially were not so much that the program didn't want them, "but that I didn't think my staff (one person) could spare the time to find homes for these special toys."

He said in hindsight, "I realize that we would have spent far fewer hours finding homes for these dolls than I have spent answering e-mails and media interviews. Therefore, I have contacted David Socha of Blessed Toys, the person who brought this to the media's attention, and asked him to send the dolls to Toys for Tots. We will find a place for every doll."

"We are delighted that the Marines have changed their policy to protect freedom of choice and freedom of religion," said John W. Whitehead, the president of The Rutherford Institute, which had contacted the program.

"The stated mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is 'to assist the U.S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas' and 'to call the general public to action in support of this patriotic community action program,'" The Rutherford Institute said in a statement.

"There is little reason to fear that children or their families will be offended by a gift of the Jesus doll," Whitehead said. "Toys for Tots' materials state that the gifts are unwrapped so any child or parent who does not want to receive the doll need only decline that gift and receive something else."

The donation had been offered by a company called one2believe.com, where Socha, the company manager, said all he wanted to do was donate toys.

"The children that Toys for Tots provides presents to, may get only one gift this Christmas, why can't it be a Jesus doll?" he asked.

"Whether you believe in what the Messengers of Faith dolls say or not, the message the dolls convey to children is one of God's love. Our Messengers of Faith Bible dolls make a great gift for any child. We are thrilled with the overwhelming support that we have received and we want to thank everyone for helping to turn this story into a happy one."

Socha also said because of the initial rejection, and subsequent interest expressed by other groups that provide presents for children, some changes would be made.

"When the hundreds of requests for dolls began to roll in we made a decision to use some of the dolls that we designated to Toys for Tots and provide them to organizations that supported our cause," Socha said. "We also decided to substantially increase our total donation based on how many organizations said they could benefit from our dolls."

He said he still, however, is looking for some help in transporting the dolls to the recipient organizations.

He described his company as a premier developer of high-quality Christian educational resources and a division of Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company.

Grein initially had declined because of the religious connection. "We can't take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family. Kids want a gift for the holiday season that is fun."

The bearded Jesus doll recites Scripture, such as, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

The Marine Reserve program distributes an estimated 18 million stuff animals, games, toy trucks and other gifts annually.

The company says the dolls are 12 inches tall and fully articulated including fingers that can grasp and hold. The 63 seconds of record Scripture includes John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish" and John 3:3 – "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" and others.

"Jesus was the most important person in history," the company says. "Ever."