About A Big Heart Foundation
A Big Heart Foundation, Inc., is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization with a mission of keeping the hearts of Charlotte beating through service and support to those who need it most – our community’s youngest citizens. Founded by Jack Burke of BRK Global Marketing in 2010, A Big Heart Foundation has supported over 50 different organizations and charities that enrich the lives of Charlotte’s youth through initiatives ranging from health and education to overall wellbeing.
Our core values are focused on impacting the community by building trustworthy partnerships with like-minded organizations and developing heartfelt programs that inspire our volunteers and supporters to action
We lead with HEART every day!
Humility – An understanding that all people deserve to be treated with dignity.
Empathy – Letting those we serve know that we care about them deeply.
Appreciation – All that give time and treasures to our cause are a joy to our lives.
Resilience – Knowing that circumstances change, and we will provide a solution to create a better world.
Trust – Building a sense of mutual understanding between us and the community we serve.
About the Toys for Tots Golf Tournament
The T4T Golf Tournament is the second largest contributor to the Marine Corp Toys for Tots program in the state of North Carolina. Sponsors supporting the event include a variety of business leaders and decision-makers among prominent companies in the Charlotte area. Last year’s Annual T4T golf event collected over $40,000 worth of toys for hundreds of children in the Charlotte area during the Holiday Season. We are looking forward to raising even more money this year!
Please join A Big Heart Foundation, Inc. on September 23rd, 2024 for the 16th Annual Toys for Tots Golf Tournament!
Learn more about this year’s event.
US Marine Corps
US Marine Corps
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps and the Department of Defense to provide fundraising and other necessary support for the annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. To date, the Marines have distributed 548 million toys and 251 million children nationwide. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public as well as support from corporate sponsors.
Toys for Tots provides joy and a message of hope to America’s less fortunate children through the gift of a new toy during the Christmas holiday season. Our gifts offer these children hope, recognition and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the gifts we provide, such as books, games and sports equipment, make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational development of these children.
How old is Toys for Tots?
75 years old. Toys for Tots began in 1947.
What toy started it all?
Diane Hendricks, Bill’s wife, first crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to an underprivileged child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign.
What’s the goal of Toys for Tots?
The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to “bring the joy of Christmas to America’s children in need”.
Foundations Supported
Foundations Supported by A Big Heart Foundation
Toy Shopping & Delivery
Toy Shopping & Delivery
A Big Heart Shops for Toys for Tots
One of our favorite aspects of the Toys for Tots Golf Tournament is to go shopping for the children’s toys after the event. In late November, A Big Heart Foundation partnered with the U.S. Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 451 and Toy Mania in the Cotswold Village Shopping Center to bring the joy of Christmas to needy children living right here in Mecklenburg County.
That night in November, A Big Heart Foundation hosted children currently living at Hope Haven, Inc. for the fourth year in a row. This year the nineteen children ranged in age from 7 months to 12 years old. Parents were given a $200 gift card for each child to spend on their Christmas gifts. Meanwhile, each child was given a $30 gift card of their own to spend on something to take home that night. Each child was so excited to shop for the toys they were taking home that night that it was easy for the parents to keep their Christmas presents a surprise!
While the children and parents from Hope Haven were shopping, T4T Tournament organizers purchased more toys for the Marines to load up and take back to their warehouse to be delivered to families in our area who have applied for assistance this Christmas season.
Tournament organizers picked out some of their favorite toys to donate. From bulldozers to baby dolls, the group had a selection of classic toys and cutting-edge educational toys to pick from. Toy Mania made the cheer spread farther by graciously providing a significant discount for every toy purchased that night.
After playing with the kids from Hope Haven, helping pick out the toys and loading them up, the Marines left with the truck packed FULL of toys. All of the toys were distributed by the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation to needy children in the Charlotte area.
Marines Deliver Toys to Tots
Since the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program began in 1947, Marines have distributed more than 548 million toys to more than 251 million needy children.
The Marine Toys for Tots Program collected and distributed 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children in this past year allowing them to experience the joy of Christmas and receive a message of hope that otherwise would not have been there. This community action program took place in over 800 communities covering all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.