(NewsUSA) - The First 1,000 Participants in Rockstar Energy’s “Fuel Your Drive” Promotion Will Receive Up to $50 Cash Back

PURCHASE, N.Y., May 23, 2023 – Starting Memorial Day weekend – a peak road trip weekend – Rockstar Energy wants to ‘Fuel Your Drive’ by giving away $50,000 to help summer travelers across the country get cash back at the pump and stay energized to get to their next destination.

Each year, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer travel and millions of Americans are eager to put pedal to the metal. In fact, experts predict that 82% of Memorial Day travelers in the United States will be hitting the road to take advantage of the long holiday weekend.

“With high gas prices, we know consumers are looking for special deals and ways to save money without sacrificing fun,” said Sara Ostrander, Director of Brand Programming, Energy Portfolio. “Almost 90% of Americans are looking for travel rewards, so we created ‘Fuel Your Drive’ to bring the energy to summer road trips and give consumers cash back at the pump across the nation.”

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, the first 1,000 people who fuel up on gas, purchase three or more Rockstar Energy products at participating gas stations nationwide and text ‘ENERGY’ to 81234 to upload their receipt will receive up to $50 cash back, all courtesy of Rockstar Energy.

The rewards don’t stop there. Americans will be road-tripping all summer long so to keep them fueled up and energized, Rockstar Energy will reward travelers with up to $5 cash back when they buy two products now through Labor Day. Those products include classic and summertime fan favorites like Recovery Orangeade and the latest addition Strawberry Peach available in Punched (full flavor) and Pure Zero (zero sugar), all providing that extra fuel to conquer summer road trips.

Whether grabbing the wheel for a long weekend or an epic summer-long road trip, it’s time to kick off the unofficial start of summer with Rockstar Energy to fuel your next adventure. For more information on Rockstar Energy’s “Fuel Your Drive” promotion, text ‘ROCKSTAR’ to 81234.

For more information, visit www.rockstarenergy.com.

(NewsUSA) - Websites focusing on sports betting and the gambling industry have been monitoring the evolution of sports wagering in the United States and around the world, yet most Americans couldn’t tell you the name of the law that was overturned by the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling back in 2018. Still, its reverberating effects have been seismic.

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, more commonly referred to as PASPA, was the law of the land that gave the federal government control over where sports betting could take place. Las Vegas was the most popular exception to the rule and only a few other jurisdictions were allowed to make book.

New Jersey Fights Back

However, a legal fight to overturn PASPA was mounted by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and followed by his successor, Phil Murphy, which ultimately proved to be successful. The SCOTUS voted 6-3 that all parts of PASPA were illegal and that opened the floodgates for states to decide for themselves whether they would allow sports betting within their boundaries.

Although the initial response was tepid, a steady stream of states began to pass sports betting legislation once they caught wind of the enormous revenue that was being generated by taxing the online and retail sportsbooks. That steady stream turned into a deluge, as more and more states hopped aboard the sports betting gravy train.

How Do American Books Compare?

Betting sports online is nothing new to millions of Americans who have been using offshore sports betting sites for decades. Many of those seasoned bettors, who have explored American digital sportsbooks, believe they offer less than they can find in online shops around the globe.

One veteran of the gaming industry explained, “There really is no advantage to using American sportsbooks over the offshores. The offshore books I use are licensed and regulated too; it’s just that those regulations are from overseas countries but they’re every bit as strict. The biggest advantage to using offshores is they give much better bonuses, usually have better lines, they take crypto like Bitcoin, there’s anonymity, and most importantly, I don't have to give the government a slice of my winnings. I don’t really want Uncle Sam knowing my business.”

Sportsbooks like BetUS are often considered better alternatives to American sportsbooks by veteran bettors, but, either way, sports betting has hit the mainstream in the USA and there is no turning back!

Did You Know?

At this juncture, sports betting has been regulated in 34 states; find the breakdown below:

• Only in-person sportsbooks (10)
• Full mobile betting with multiple options (21)
• Limited mobile betting options (4)

-          Studies show mobile betting towers over in-person -aka retail- sports betting, generating over 90 percent of the handle.

-          Although the NFL is the most bet-on sports league, we should note that college football ranks second, NBA is third, and college basketball ranks fourth. Thus, it’s not surprising that college sports contribute at least 50 percent of the sports betting handle compared to the professional leagues.

Money Changes Everything

It didn’t take long for sports betting to catch fire with the American public, but perhaps the biggest 180-degree turn occurred when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced his league would partner up with the same entities the NFL had been castigating for decades as a clear and present danger to the integrity of their hallowed National Football League.

The sanctimonious finger-pointing by Goodell, and by those who had come before him, was akin to a WWE story arc. Except this one lived on and on and on without any reprieve. It was a wholly transparent attempt at feigning animosity towards the sports betting industry while its very existence contributed mightily to the NFL’s enormous television ratings.

No one is watching two last-place teams on Monday night except when it’s the NFL’s Monday Night Football. Point spreads and totals create plenty of excitement because a financial interest attracts more eyeballs to the TV set than an emotional investment ever could.

But the NFL could have its cake and eat it too. They could decry sports betting all they wanted because it wouldn’t stop the masses from betting. Meanwhile, they could continue to state that their game was free of any sports betting chicanery because they went to such great pains to ensure there is no place for betting in the NFL.

Yet the latter is true; neither the NFL nor any professional league wants even a hint of impropriety nor cheating. Pro sports can weather virtually any storm – domestic abuse, steroids, rape, and even murder, but the death knell of any league will come if the fans believe the fix is in. Then it’s no longer worth watching, and that’s a wrap.

However, when sports betting became regulated in the U.S., the NFL smelled money - lots of money - and realized those sports betting platforms would pay beaucoup bucks to partner with Roger and his 31 billionaires (the Packers are community-owned.)

It wasn’t at all surprising that the NFL dropped the charade against the evils of sports betting. That was inevitable, as there were hundreds of millions on the table. But the alacrity with which they did it, without any soft pivot, was stunning in its brazen shamelessness.

It was as though Goodell knew everyone else knew he was just playing a part and those that were too stupid not to pick up on the act weren’t worth his contrition. It’s almost like meeting The Undertaker at a bar. He’s not going to be the Undertaker, he’s going to be Mark Calaway, just a big dude quaffing a beer. No need to keep up the pretense.

And that’s how it was with Goodell. He went from preaching fire-and-brimstone on all things sports betting to Mr. Vegas slinking into a lounge with his new best friends, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars.

Back in the 80s Cyndi Lauper had a hit song, “Money Changes Everything.” If you ever doubted the wisdom of those words, just ask Roger. 

Offshore vs Regulated - Pros and Cons

REGULATED PROS

• Credit & Cash Deposit/Withdraw Options
• Abide by local regulations. Funds are fully protected.
• All transactions are reported to Gov. entities (IRS).

REGULATED CONS

• Fewer wager offers per games.
• Fewer leagues and events offered.
• Odds (payouts) are less attractive.
• Registration processes are more invasive.
• Cryptocurrencies are not an option.
• Fewer shops.
• In-person wagering required on some states.
• Tax variables depending on which state you wager on.
• Bonuses and promotions are limited/minimum.

OFFSHORE PROS

• Deposit/withdraw options with cryptocurrencies. 
• Bitcoin and other alternative currencies often available.
• Deposits/withdrawals with crypto are often immediate and fees don't apply.
• No tax withholding.
• More wagering options per league/games
• More leagues and events are offered.
• More casino games are offered.
• Higher privacy standards.
• More bonuses and promotions are offered
• More shop options are available. Some reliable sportsbooks include:
  • BetUS
  • BetOnline
  • Heritage Sports

OFFSHORE CONS

• Cash and credit deposits can be more difficult.
• Regulations are determined by the country the shop is licensed in.
• No wager limits placed by government to protect customers.

(NewsUSA) - The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul by Fernando Arroyo

The powerful memoir of a suicidal veteran who surrendered to Jesus Christ, pleading for help…

Jesus answered.

At the young age of 19, Arroyo learned, “In combat, you have to put your emotions aside, because the next mission is just around the corner.” Arroyo honorably served in the Airborne Infantry for five years in positions ranging from scout observer to squad leader, then served three deployments after graduating from U.S. Army Ranger School, working in combat conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan. And yet, while serving our nation, his work as a soldier was hardening his heart, pulling him farther away from God. This is the candid, poignant story of Arroyo’s descent into unimaginable despair—and his glorious redemption in God.

The Shadow of Death | Fidelis Publishing (faithfultext.com)

Use special discount code SHADOW30 for 30% off

Heather: Tuu Maia Lou Lima Give Me Your Hand by Steven A. Yagyagan

A firsthand look into the often-hidden world of child abuse. A heart-wrenching and heartwarming story of a young Sāmoan-Scottish girl and how she endured and survived 60 years of abuse. She shares her story and hopes more women and children will be spared from mental and physical abuse. It’s a personal and powerful story of survival and resilience toward child and adult abuse, highlighting the courage and strength of a child who faced adversity and ultimately triumphed over it.

There are various layers of cultures and languages in the book, including Ilocano, Sāmoan, Hawaiian Pidgin English, and Spanish (Puerto Rican culture). There are peaks and valleys from heart-wrenching to heartwarming moments in the story. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Lt6AgC.

Emerging From the Dark by Terence Ang

Having a stroke is one of our worst fears. But the truth is a stroke is a common medical issue. Most of us have no idea what a stroke feels like or what it takes to recover from one. Our fear often has us pull away from people who most need our help and support.

In his first book, A Cry in the Dark, the author shared his moving story of stroke recovery. In this second book, Ang has assembled a collection of moving stories from people in all stages of stroke recovery, tales of unimaginable courage and determination. These people reject the idea of being a victim and fight with everything they have to return to a normal life. These are positive people with positive stories. Five stars from USA Today. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3TnDphn.

The Second Coming by E.L. Smith

Has society turned its back on God? Are we drifting further away from the truth?

In The Second Coming, private investigator Shawn Abernathy struggles with his beliefs in God, good, and evil, and with revelations he cannot escape. After facing a surprise visitor from Heaven, his life changes dramatically. Soon he finds himself hiding from the Antichrist as he comes to terms with his ultimate purpose: aiding in the salvation of all humanity.

Derived from the book of Revelation, The Second Coming follows the travails of individuals across the globe as they face what lies within their own hearts and souls at the end of the world. We all have only two choices before life after death. What side will you choose? Purchase at https://bit.ly/3HVHtRg.

(NewsUSA) - AI systems continue to enable a range of economic, social, and defense opportunities. However, the same AI characteristics that allow for new and transformative opportunities also present risks to national security, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a bipartisan nonprofit organization.

Well-intentioned AI developers, deployers, and users of an AI system must assess and consider risks to national security posed by their particular system, the SCSP experts warn. This risk goes beyond AI systems involved in national security and extends to commercial entities.

SCSP offers several examples of how commercial AI has the potential to threaten national security.

Misuse: Misuse can occur when an AI system developed for non-national security purposes is accidentally or purposefully used in a way that causes harm to national security. This threat is especially relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises developing new systems or applications. For example, unrelated AI systems can be linked to reveal sensitive data about strategic infrastructure, populations, or other subjects that are relevant to national security and could be manipulated by adversaries.

Scaling: Leveraging large amounts of data creates opportunities for new business models and increases the efficiency of existing models. However, extreme scaling also creates the potential for rapid introduction and adoption of new systems and use cases not previously encountered, predicted, or evaluated. For example, the aggregation of cell phone data enables the identification of cell phones associated with regular visits to sensitive facilities.

Generative AI: The advancement and adoption of generative AI already has resulted in unintended consequences. For example, text, voice, image, and/or video generation technology designed for entertainment purposes can be used to create information campaigns or deepfakes to spread misinformation and disinformation, incite political violence, and generally undermine public trust.

Corrupted Data or Software: Large AI systems typically rely on external software components, but the prevalence of these components in machine learning introduces risks of intentionally and unintentionally corrupted versions being unknowingly incorporated in critical systems. For example, a facial recognition system that may be manipulated to include a “trigger,” such as an unusual hat, that prompts it to perform not as intended, perhaps by authorizing unintended access.

To help mitigate the potential national security risks associated with AI, the SCSP recommends educating stakeholders and incentivizing practices to promote cooperation.

In addition, public-private partnerships between stakeholders and national security entities are needed to help all stakeholders understand requirements, policies, and standing documents.

The SCSP experts also call on the U.S. government to create an AI tested where technologies can be objectively evaluated. This mechanism would support the exploration of AI systems to identify risks that have not previously occurred.

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - Father's Day and graduation are just around the corner, and the pressure is on to find the perfect gift. Forget about the clichéd ties and boring watches; we've got an idea that will rev up your gifting game. Imagine the look of surprise and delight on your dad or grad's face when they receive a prepaid car wash membership or wash pack. And not just any car wash, we're talking about Take 5 Car Wash, the ultimate car care experience with over 400 sites nationwide.

So, why is a clean car the ultimate gift idea? Well, besides being a refreshing change from the usual presents, it's an opportunity for your loved one to have a clean ride, any time they want. With a prepaid car wash membership or wash pack from Take 5 Car Wash, they can enjoy the convenience of visiting any of their numerous locations at their preferred time. From quick touch-ups before important meetings to thorough cleanings after long road trips, this gift ensures their ride always shines.

But that's not all. We all know that time is a precious commodity, especially for busy dads and hardworking grads. That's where Take 5 Car Wash comes in. Their fast and efficient service guarantees a thorough cleaning in just a few minutes. With a prepaid membership or wash pack, your dad or grad can breeze through the car wash whenever it suits them, saving valuable time that can be better spent on things they love.

Now, let's talk about the quality and care your loved one will receive. Take 5 Car Wash is renowned for its exceptional service and commitment to every vehicle that crosses its path. Their team uses top-of-the-line equipment and products to ensure a thorough and gentle cleaning process.

When it comes to finding a practical, convenient, and thoughtful gift, a prepaid car wash membership or wash pack from Take 5 Car Wash is a no-brainer. With their extensive network of locations, time-saving convenience, and exceptional quality, you can't go wrong. So, why wait? Give the gift of a prepaid car wash membership and let the dad or grad in your life enjoy a clean and shiny ride all year long. Trust us; they'll thank you for it.

Find your nearest Take 5 Car Wash location here.

(NewsUSA) - Silver is a part of everyday life in more ways than most people realize. Besides the more obvious industrial uses, silver is a key component in many products that people rely on every day. Your electric-powered car, the antibacterial thread in your sports gear, and even your smartphone all use silver.

Silver also factors in products ranging from solar panels to burn creams and water purification systems.

Silver is one of the most versatile elements; it can be ground into powder, turned into paste, shaved into flakes, converted into a salt, combined with other metals, flattened into printable sheets, drawn into wires, suspended within other materials, or even used as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Key areas where silver shines include:

Automotive. Nearly 90 million ounces of silver is projected to be absorbed annually in the automotive industry alone by the year 2025, according to the Silver Institute, a nonprofit organization that informs the public about silver and its uses.

Medicine. Silver has a long and intriguing history as an antibiotic in human health care. Silver has been developed for use in water purification, wound care, bone prostheses, reconstructive orthopedic surgery, cardiac devices, catheters and surgical appliances. In addition, recent research suggests that silver’s long-lasting antibacterial power could improve the performance of medical products that help protect us from harmful pathogens.

Electronics/Technology. Silver’s excellent electrical conductivity makes it a natural choice for everything from printed circuit boards to switches and TV screens. Silver has become an important element in 5G infrastructure investment.

Silver also is a solid choice for savvy investors, as the demand will continue to rise. Currently, there is an abundance of silver, which has kept prices low.

Companies such as Vancouver-based Silvercorp Metals offer an opportunity to benefit from the investment value of silver. Silvercorp acquires, explores, develops, and mines precious and base metal mineral properties at its producing mines and exploration and development projects, primarily in China’s Ying Mining District, known as “The Silver Quadrant,” where it also produces gold, lead and zinc.  

Looking ahead, silver is an essential element of the “electrification economy,” and companies such as Silvercorp that are positioned for long-term growth and committed to responsible mining practices are worth watching.

Visit silvercorpmetals.com for more information.

(NewsUSA) - It’s a tricky business, being human!

Most of us, according to Susan Drury, have lingering feelings – whether consciously realized or not – of ambivalence around something in our childhood. Regardless of how caring and diligent (or not) our parents/caregivers may have been, experiencing a certain amount of pain, misinterpretation and limitation are guaranteed aspects of childhood within this human adventure. 

Now, Drury has come out with a new book to address and transform the lingering effects we may still carry around those experiences: ELEVATING YOUR ORIGINS TO LOVE: A Guided Journey of Transformation, Healing & Power.

The book is written for people who face any one or several of these issues:

• Negative feelings around any aspect of your family, caregivers or early circumstances that continue to overshadow your ability to “move on;”
• Significant challenges or traumas faced by you and/or your parents or grandparents - even if they occurred before you were born or that you retain no conscious memory of;
• Being a parent raising children, and wanting to parent more consciously, free from limiting patterns stemming from your own childhood.
• Looking to improve or resolve any current or repetitive unsatisfying situations and/or relationships that keep cropping up in your life (and you don’t understand why);
• Wanting a clearer understanding of the potential for love and joy that your life inherently offers, and how to bring this out, moment by moment, into all aspects of your experience.

Drury approaches these matters with years of extensive training and professional certification in transformational methodologies that include shamanic healing, cranial sacral therapy, homeopathy, the Present Child Method, and Transference Healing, all shaped within the crucible of deep psychological and spiritual discipline.  No matter how privileged or terrible our early environment was, says Drury, within any difficult moment lies the possibility of discovering a new sense of love and power – today.

Readers will become aware of the different aspects of the human “hardware,” including an accessible explanation of our mind/body connection and neuropsychological wiring. They will gain clarity around how their original environment deeply affected the beliefs they came to have about so many aspects of themselves, others, and life. Although one’s perceptions seem to be concrete reality, by weaving the early years of the human experience through different dimensions -- often through the author’s own very personal stories and personal processes –-readers will discover that many of their more limited perceptions are transformations-in-waiting.

Writes one certified Amazon reader, “Drury's writing is clear, practical, and beautiful. Her approach is in-depth and genuine, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking the path to personal transformation. Each piece of wisdom will inspire readers to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and how they can move forward in their lives.”

Adds another Amazon reader,  “It is impossible to just read through this book – it is lived through!  And for me, lived through with great benefit.”

Within a loving, non-judgmental perspective, readers are taken through different states of consciousness in order to discover their own abilities of transformation, healing and personal empowerment.  As readers connect their deepest dots, both the past and present become transformed. Long-held limitations and pain, even those passed down through earlier generations, dissolve into joy and a renewal of love. Not just a process of personal elevation, this book offers the potential of transformation for humanity itself.

Learn more at www.susandrury.com.

(NewsUSA) - Writers of the Future Volume 39 by L. Ron Hubbard

Discover the new voices in science fiction and fantasy accompanied by three masters of the genre. These captivating stories are selected by Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Robert J. Sawyer, Kevin J. Anderson, Jody Lynn Nye, and others.

Be amazed. Be amused. Be transported further and deeper into new worlds and ideas than you’ve ever gone before.

From dark fantasy to space opera and time travel, you will love these sci-fi and fantasy stories because, as Locus magazine puts it, “Not only is the writing excellent...it is also extremely varied. Hot new talent.” Purchase at https://bit.ly/3l97Kna.

The First Counterspy by Kay Haas and Walter W. Pickut

The pulse-quickening and traumatic story of spy, counterspy, and an American family unwittingly caught in its web. Until this case, the FBI had never recruited civilian counterspies to catch a Soviet agent. The first two were Larry Haas, a leading aviation engineer at Bell Aviation, and Leona Franey, head librarian at Bell’s technical library.

The FBI pitted them against a Soviet agent, Andrei Ivanovich Schevchenko, operating legally as one of the highest Soviet officials in the United States during WWII, and illegally as the secret head of a wide-ranging spy network hidden within the American aviation industry. The book lays out this exciting story and the consequences of Schevchenko’s deadly threat of vengeance against Haas, the counterspy who betrayed him.  Purchase at https://bit.ly/40uak69.

Grays of Novart by J.A. Collie

On the technologically advanced planet Novart, Warrior cadet Trinity Knight suddenly loses her invincibility. The indestructible dakkie cladding her gray skin is rendered useless, and the supercomputer implanted in her head becomes dysfunctional. At the same time, things go awry for the prized Esra10 mission, and she has 48 hours to save it.

Separated from Central Command and forced to go dark, Trinity plunges into high-stakes battles with androids, drones, and hackers controlled by rich and powerful enemies fixated on her termination and stopping Esra10. Reconnecting with her base increases the danger, as some commanders are spies selling information to the highest bidder, and her capture is worth a fortune.

Her ultimate survival hinges on leaving Novart. Help comes from allies and incredible new abilities, giving Trinity and her broken supercomputer a fighting chance. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3KAgY5N.

Moonlight Beach by Yurie Kiri

In this award-winning book, what is shattering the idyllic, seaside community of Rancho, California? Grisly death. Bodies washing up on nearby Moonlight Beach. It’s downright disconcerting to the privileged one percent living in one of SoCal’s ritziest enclaves. Worse, they have no idea who is behind the slaughter.

Is it sharks? Something supernatural? Greedy venture capitalists? Maneaters are known to inhabit the waters off Moonlight Beach, but shark attacks are rare. What about black magic, satanic rituals? A coven of witches lives nearby. Or could it be the venture capitalists, whose latest company harvests human organs for transplant, exploiting the vulnerable to save the wealthy elite?

The violence shows no signs of ending. Two more people are killed on a cliff overlooking the beach – and all their organs are missing. What the heck is going on? Purchase at https://bit.ly/3oudV6A.

(NewsUSA) - The 2023 hurricane season is approaching, and experts say now is the time to prepare.  When a hurricane or even a strong tropical storm strikes, it leaves a path of destruction that could leave homeowners without power for days – even weeks. Power outages are becoming more frequent due to an aging electrical grid, which makes it crucial to build a preparedness plan that involves a backup power solution.

“Weather is uncertain and changes rapidly,” said Mark McGinnis, Certified Consulting Meteorologist with Fair Skies Consulting, and a longtime observer of hurricane trends. “From a safety perspective, you don’t want to be rushing at the last minute. That is a stressful situation for any family. Act now to think through the different possible scenarios and create a plan to protect your family and your home.”

“With such high levels of uncertainty surrounding this year's hurricane season, homeowners and business owners need to do everything they can to prepare now,” said Kyle Raabe, president of Consumer Power for Generac Power Systems, a global energy technology company. “Making a plan ahead of time that includes a source of backup power is an important step to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe and comfortable in the event of a strong storm.”

Quick Tips

Power outage experts from Generac have provided tips on how to prepare for blackouts during hurricane season:

• Identify the safest location in the home to wait out a storm, and review emergency plans for evacuation, based on your local government’s recommendations.
• Identify when your nearest evacuation centers will open and, if applicable, which ones allow pets. As an alternative to an evacuation center, reach out to friends or family who live outside of the forecasted cone of impact and create a list of potential evacuation locations.
• Designate a main location and a backup location to meet after the storm.
• Gather local area maps in the event mobile devices lack service or electricity.
• Build an emergency kit.
• Compile contact information for relevant family members and keep it handy in a wallet or purse. Create a communication plan in case of an outage.
• Consider investing in a portable or home standby generator to backup critical components of your home. If you already have a generator, be sure it is well-maintained, so it is ready to work when you need it most.

It’s important to remember that, even in a slower-than-average hurricane season, it only takes one strong storm to cause serious destruction. Therefore, it's crucial to prepare equally for every season, regardless of the forecasted activity.

To learn more about the 2023 hurricane season, obtain tips to prepare for power outages, or download printable inventory checklists and more, visit the website.

(NewsUSA) - May is National Foster Care Month, and the Marine Toys for Tots Program continues to expand its support beyond the holiday season to deliver emotional comfort and gifts to children living in Foster Care.

Children living within Foster Care face tremendous uncertainty, often lacking a permanent, nurturing family to love and guide them in their formative years.

Toys for Tots’ initiative, Champions for Those in Foster Care, provides toys, books, and other gifts to foster children with the assistance of local organizations across the country. “These children often leave their homes with only a small plastic bag of their belongings. Marine Toys for Tots wants to give Foster Care children not only something tangible to take with them as they move, but also some tools and hope for a brighter tomorrow,” says LtGen Jim Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. 

These children are placed temporarily in group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living homes. Toys for Tots provides resources that help these children during extremely stressful and trying times with the goal of reducing their anxiety and making a positive impact in their lives.

In 2022, the Program joined forces with Houston County, Georgia, Toys for Tots Coordinator, Wendy Chadwell, to distribute bookbags filled with toys, books, and school supplies to foster children in the local area. This initiative was the kickoff of Toys for Tots’ newly established Foster Care initiative that would support children living in Foster Care year-round.

Wendy has a strong connection with the Foster Care system—she serves as the Child Protective Services (CPS) Administrator for the Houston County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) year-round. Wendy’s DFCS connections along with her volunteer work as the local Coordinator gave her a strong platform to host the first Foster Care distribution event. She and volunteers in Houston County packed over 400 backpacks and distributed them to local District Foster Care Coordinators that represented eleven surrounding counties and directly provided the backpacks to the children in the local Foster Care Program. “[I was honored] to take on this type of responsibility and tackle this endeavor. The counties have been very appreciative, and the foster parents have been even more appreciative, as well as the kids,” Ms. Chadwell recalls.

This initiative highlights how Marine Toys for Tots is a year-round force for good, positively impacting children beyond the holiday season. In 2022, the Foster Care initiative supported over 447,000 children in the Foster Care system.

In 2023, Toys for Tots will provide toys and books to children living in Foster Care throughout local communities across the Nation – to include Buena Park, CA (assisting approximately 400 children); Quincy, IL (assisting approximately 400 children); Mt. Laurel, NJ (assisting approximately 200 children); and Tucson, AZ (assisting approximately 2,100 children) – as part of the organization’s year-round support to children in need.

These events are part of Toys for Tots’ commitment to empowering children in Foster Care and supporting their foster families throughout the year to renew their hope for a brighter future.

Visit toysfortots.org to donate today and become a force for good for children living in Foster Care!