The annual holiday campaign collected 15,000 thousand toys for the Marine Corps Reserves’ Toys for Tots program in South Florida
Tropical Financial Credit Union partnered with WPLG-TV Local 10 in Miami/Fort Lauderdale to make Christmas a bit brighter for thousands of children in South Florida. On December 13, the credit union served as one of nine pick-up locations for the TV station’s Big Bus Toy Express which collects unwrapped toys each year for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign.
“We are very proud to partner each year with WPLG Local 10 and the Marine Corps Reserves to make sure that no child goes without having at least one gift to open on Christmas Day,” said Rick Shaw, Tropical Financial’s President and CEO. “The need in our community has never been greater, and we are honored to do our part.”
The Tropical Financial Credit Union team presents U.S. Marines with a $1,000 check for their annual Toys for Tots program.
Tropical Financial Credit Union collected bags of toys for the annual Local 10 Big Bus Toy Express program, which benefits Toys for Tots in South Florida.
Tropical Financial Credit Union President and CEO Rick Shaw poses with Santa Claus atop the Big Bus.
Tropical Financial Credit Union President and CEO Rick Shaw, WPLG Meteorologist Betty Davis, and members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, display unwrapped toys collected for the Toys for Tots program.
The Big Bus Toy Express stopped at Tropical Financial’s Plantation branch, where employees, members, Santa Claus, and a live saxophonist playing holiday tunes greeted the TV crew and marines when they arrived. In addition to donating dozens of toys, Tropical Financial presented a check for $1,000 during a live broadcast from the scene. Tropical Financial has been involved with the program for nearly a decade.
“Tropical Financial Credit Union has been a faithful partner of the Local 10 Big Bus Toy Express for many years,” said Mayte Padron Cordones, WPLG Local 10 Director of Community Relations. “The level of enthusiasm and generosity from its team members is inspiring and to be emulated. We look forward to collaborating for many more campaigns to come.”
In all, the Local 10 Big Bus Toy Express gathered 15,000 toys, setting a new collection record. In 2023, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve distributed 170,000 toys to over 96,000 children in South Florida.
About Tropical Financial Credit Union
Based in Miramar, Florida, Tropical Financial Credit Union, the Official Credit Union of the Florida Panthers, is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution whose deposits are federally insured. Anyone who lives or works in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Sarasota counties can join. Tropical Financial Credit Union was formed in 1935 by employees of the former Southern Bell. For more information, visit www.tropicalfcu.com.
