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A Florida man who swiped a Toys for Tots donation jar was behind bars, authorities said. William Thomas Smith, 34, was arrested and charged with theft, Marion County Sheriff's Office officials said in a Tuesday Facebook post. Deputies began investigating last week after the donation jar for the charity was stolen from a dollar store. There was around $800 in the jar that was supposed to go to the charity, authorities said. Investigators were able to identify Smith as the suspect and take him into custody. Authorities said the story has a happy ending, just in time for the holidays....

I know you hate it when I do this but I really think a “compare and contrast” might be in order to help us all be appropriately grateful for everything we have this Christmas season. So here goes: FLOTUS at the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Now:  Yesterday:And then:  I don’t think I have to say anything more.Posted from: MOTUS A.D.

An East Stroudsburg man was arrested Wednesday on charges he stole tip jars from at least four restaurants and the Toys for Tots donation jar from the Arlington Diner in Stroud Township. Michael M. Moya, 23, was identified earlier in the week as a suspect in the Toys for Tots theft at 834 N. Ninth St., and investigators already were gathering evidence on the other thefts, Stroud Area Regional police said.

Thieves Steal Christmas Toys From Community Center By EMILY SHAPIRO Dec 24, 2015 After hundreds of children's Christmas presents were stolen from a Pittsburgh community center, residents and businesses in the area immediately stepped in to help. Christmas gifts for 400 children -- donated by Toys for Tots for Pittsburgh families -- were stolen Monday evening from a community center, where they were being stored before being distributed, according to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. "It's disgusting," Pittsburgh Police Zone 5 Cmdr. Jason Lando told ABC News affiliate WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. "We never condone theft of any kind but three...

The shootout in Waco that killed nine motorcycle gang members began in the weeks before Christmas with a beating at a Toys for Tots event in Wise County and a murder in Fort Worth, according to law enforcement sources. The backdrop is a growing turf battle between the Bandidos – which has controlled Texas for years – and the Cossacks, a lesser-known biker gang that has been gaining power by aligning itself with Bandido rivals, the sources said. On Dec. 12, 10 Bandidos burst into Gator’s bar in Fort Worth and "without saying a word, started punching and attacking people,"...

Michelle Obama dropped off hundreds of Christmas gifts to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign and in return received a surprise invitation from a soldier to be his date to the Marine Corps Ball. Lance Cpl. Aaron Leeks, 20, said he asked the first lady to accompany him because he's a fan and admires her work to support the military. When Obama was sorting toys at the charity event and came close to Leeks of Frederick, he took the opportunity and leaned over a toy bin to get her attention and pop the question.

WALTHAM, Mass. -- A Lowell man is under arrest and accused of lying to police about being a high-ranking official in the Marines. The man told an officer that pulled him over that he was trying to collect toys for the organization “Toys for Tots.” He was even wearing a uniform and medals he did not earn. The officer that pulled the man over was a former Marine himself and he was not fooled by the man’s disguise. The man was arrested on his way to Shopper’s Café in Waltham. The restaurant was holding a “Toys for Tots” event and...

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (C) gets a tour as she visits the Toys for Tots distribution center at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, December 17, 2010. Toys for Tots is a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps reserve that has distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children over the past 62 years.

ORANGEVALE (CBS13) – Hundreds of toys set aside for kids in need have been stolen just days before Christmas. The toys were taken from the lobby of the Orangevale Chamber of Commerce Monday night. They were donations to the Toys for Tots program.

A Marine reservist collecting Toys for Tots donations at Augusta's Best Buy was stabbed in the back this afternoon while helping subdue a shoplifting suspect. -- snip -- Attaway, of the 500 block of College Street in Waynesboro, has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a knife in commission of a crime.

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama arrives with a sack of toys as she visits the Marine Corps Base Quantico Toys for Tots Campaign warehouse in Stafford, Virginia, December 16, 2009. In support of the program, Mrs. Obama delivered new and unwrapped toys and gifts contributed by the Executive Office staff.

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan — It all started four years ago with a Tickle Me Elmo doll. Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Grant figured he’d do his part to support the Toys for Tots drive at Whidbey Island, Wash., and he tossed the doll into his shopping cart. Then he eyed a few more toys, thinking he could help more children. "If you give one toy to one kid in an orphanage, that can change that child’s world," said Grant, now working for Commander Fleet Air, Western Pacific. "But if you can give hundreds of toys, that can have...

We're suckers for a happy ending – especially when it involves cars, kids, and hot pizza. Recall, if you will, this past summer when John Schnatter, founder of Papa John's Pizza, was on a nationwide quest to find his beloved 1971 1/2 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 – a car he sold in the mid-Eighties to fund his first store. John found his car in Kentucky, and then generously gave free pizzas from its 2,600 nationwide locations to all Camaro owners on August 26th. Still feeling more than a bit elated with the return of his Z28, and intent on providing hope...

SAN DIEGO -- A South Bay foster mother is accused of stealing more than 11,000 toys from the Toys For Tots program, 10News reported. According to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Virginia Kelly stole the toys and sold them for personal gain over several years. Kelly, 73, was arrested on April 1 and charged with grand theft and embezzlement. She faces up to four years in prison if convicted. According to the district attorney's office, Kelly was a foster mother and served as president of the Latino Foster Parents Association. For several years, Kelly accepted donated toys during...

NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program in Southern California got a big boost today, when R. Lee Ermey, retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant and motion picture star visited Naval Air Station North Island Dec. 22. The History Channel host of 'Mail Call' accepted a contribution valued at more than $10,000 from the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) Superintendent's Association. Navy Capt. Mike Kelly, commanding officer FRCSW, presented Ermey a check for $9,500 and an assortment of toys during a brief ceremony at the NAS. Ermey said the donated money would...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2008 – Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Azemar King saw how the nation swept in to help him and his fellow New Orleanians when Hurricane Katrina devastated their city in 2005. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Reynolds, an assistant with the Marine Forces Reserve Toys for Tots program, speaks to Cub Scouts in Mandeville, La., about the program as well as the benefits of staying in school, staying fit and volunteering during a Dec. 7, 2008, visit. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Capt. Erin Wiener   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. So this year, he’s convinced...

When you're out shopping for Christmas presents for family, there's one gift you cannot forget to give! NOTE: Tha author of this cartoon requests that you visit his web site and copy and e-mail a copy of his cartoon to everyone you know. Why? You'll see...

I love the Christmas Holidays as I enjoy spending them with family and friends, but I am painful aware that some children will receive nothing for Christmas and that is where the Marine Corp Reserve Program "Toys for Tots," has always stepped to gift wrap a smile and simple toy for a needy and worthy child in the area. I served in the NAVY for 7 years and it was wonderful to watch as Marine Corp Reserve and their wives would collect and wrap toys in their spare time. One year I even had the chance to drive around several...

At Ease and Listen Up! Here’s the deal. The Marines need our help. In some areas the annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots program is going into the dumper. For more than 65 years, the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign has provided Christmas presents for children who need them. Without the Corps, particularly the local Marine Reservists, these kids would wake up to joyless Christmas. This year there is a huge problem in many areas. No, they DO NOT NEED donations of toys. The public does a great job of opening their hearts and wallets. Every year, literally millions...

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (Nov. 2, 2007) -- Coordinators and volunteers with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program on Okinawa will be working overtime during the holiday season to extend the reach of the 60-year-old charity in the region. Reserve Marines, activated specifically for Toys for Tots support, are scheduled to begin their 2007 toy collection drive during ceremonies at post exchanges on Camp Foster and Kadena Air Base Nov. 3. This year, program officials added Thailand and Guam to their area of responsibility, according to Staff Sgt. Suzette Smith, a coordinator with Okinawa’s Toys for Tots....