It began as a simple event in 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks began the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in Los Angeles, California. The first year, 5,000 toys were collected during a campaign before Christmas.

During the 1999 campaign, Marines and volunteers in 342 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa collected and distributed over 13.7 million toys to 5.9 million needy children. This was the most extensive nationwide coverage in the 52 year history of Toys for Tots. The 1999 campaign also surpassed all previous records for collecting toys and for helping needy children experience the joy of Christmas. The Foundation provided 7,500,000 of the 13,700,000 toys distributed by the thousands of Marines and volunteers who give their time each year in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

For the past fifteen years, West Coast 4 Wheel Drive Club has been an active participant. Their 1999 efforts resulted in 3,669 toys contributed and featured a raffle and parade that attracted 154 vehicles, 350 people and 16 four wheel drive clubs.

Set for the first Sunday in December, (December 3), organizers have promised a bigger event this year with a vehicle decoration contest, raffles and picnic. Addition information, along with registration form are available on the West Coast 4 Wheel Drive Club web site.

The West Coast 4WDC meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Carl's Jr in Fullerton, CA. The club presently is accepting applications for new memberships. Guests are always welcome at meetings and runs. A minimum of one run per month is scheduled and all vehicles must pass a safety inspection.

The club is a member of the California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs and supports Tread Lightly!.