Fundraising for a good cause in Spokane Valley

  • 2026-10-27
An upcoming event will help raise funds for a popular holiday tradition.

The Melvin M. Smith Detachment #586 is hosting the Josie & McKenzie Memorial Toys for Tots Fundraiser. The gathering honors the memory of Josie Freier and McKenzie Mott who were students at University High School when they died in a traffic accident in 2013. At the time, Josie’s family requested that instead of flowers or food, people donate to Toys of Tots, which was Josie’s favorite charity.

The evening will give attendees a chance to bid on desirable items, have a delicious meal, and support a great cause. It will give everyone a chance to relax and have an enjoyable time while helping children in need.

The Toys for Toys program was created by Major Bill Hendricks, a Marine Corps reservist, in 1947. His wife wanted to donate a doll to a child but there were no organizations at the time accepting gifts. Hendricks and other reservists made a coordinated effort and collected about 5,000 toys, and the idea grew from there.

It has been part of the Marine Corps Reserve mission for decades, but where there is no Marine Reserve component available, the event can be overseen by members of the Marine Corps League, such as Detachment #586.

The fundraiser is set for November 21, and the detachment is at 1100 N Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley. Events like this can benefit from the advertisements developed when organizers work with poster printing.