MCALESTER, Okla. — On Saturday, December 7, the annual 4-H Toy Giveaway organized by Reed Marcum, an 18-year-old 4-H teen from Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, will distribute more than 15,000 toys to children and families in need across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas at the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester, OK.
Reed first started the annual toy drive through his local 4-H program in 2015 – when he was just 11 years old – with a small walk-up event and 1,000 toys donated. Since then, he has worked with his hometown community of McAlester to give away more than 64,000 toys to date – and this year’s giveaway will be the biggest yet.
Each year, Reed enlists 100+ volunteers and donations of toys, food and clothing from community members and 20+ local and national businesses, including Walmart and Pepsi. While families wait in the drive thru vehicle line – which often stretches as much as 16 blocks – volunteers will be distributing candy and other goodies, as well as essentials like socks, undergarments, hats, gloves and other new clothing. Volunteer character actors, including Santa in his sleigh, will also be at the giveaway.
DONATIONS:
Donations to the Toy Giveaway can be made to the Sgt Miles Tarron Foundation and through Reed’s GoFundMe.
ABOUT REED:
Harold “Reed” Marcum is a 19-year-old 4-Her from McAlester, Okla. Throughout his time in 4-H, Marcum has been dedicated to making a difference in his community. He has collectively raised more than $3.5 million in funds and donated items since 2015 through his numerous service projects, including the annual 4-H Book Bag Giveaway, Holiday Toy Drive, and his 501c3 foundation, Hudson Strong. Reed was awarded the 2024 National 4-H Youth in Action Award for his countless contributions to communities in Oklahoma and across the country. Now a freshman at Oklahoma State University studying pre-law with an emphasis in criminology, Marcum plans to put his public speaking skills to the test as a future criminal defense attorney.
ABOUT 4-H
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. Through Beyond Ready, 4-H will increase that number to ten million youth annually. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
— National 4-H Council
