Hawaiian Telcom Joins Toys for Tots

HONOLULU — The Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program has been collecting toys for less fortunate children since 1947 and national and local businesses are a big part of that collection effort.

Hawaiian Telcom, a communications company of 1,400 employees here, opened its doors this morning at the Pearlridge Shopping Center with a new addition to its sales floor: a Toys for Tots collection box.  Marines have placed Toys for Tots collection boxes at all eight of their locations here as well as their corporate offices.

“We’re really excited about being a part of Toys for Tots,” said Craig Inouye, senior vice president of sales, Hawaiian Telcom.  “It’s a way to reconnect with our community.”

Members of the community can drop off a new, unwrapped toy at any Hawaiian Telcom location around the state.  The Marines guarantee the toys will get into needy children’s hands with the hopes of brightening their holiday.

“With the challenging economy, it may be hard for some families to buy toys,” said Ann Nishida, senior corporate communications manager, Hawaiian Telcom.  “Toys for Tots is easily recognized and has a good reputation to partner with.”

Locally, Toys for Tots has collected nearly 600,000 toys since 1996.  All toys collected in Hawaii stay in Hawaii.  This year’s goal is to collect 40,000 toys.

“It’s imperative we have these drop-off locations,” said Gunnery Sgt. Chris Whitley, Toys for Tots coordinator.  “We only have so much money to buy toys and without these businesses and schools collecting toys, the program wouldn’t be as successful.”

Whitley added, the majority of the total collection comes from the drop-off locations.