Toys for Tots Honors U-Haul GM in New York

Jun 28, 2019

With thousands of toys to distribute last December, the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Greater Rochester needed cost-effective transportation. So they turned to U-Haul Moving and Storage of Greece for assistance.

From the moment they entered the U-Haul store, general manager Heather Wagner was there to help.

“I immediately emailed Todd Schnitzer, president of U-Haul Company of Western New York, expressing my desire to help out Toys for Tots in any way possible,” Wagner says. “With time, effort and lots of hard work, we were able to provide two 15-foot U-Haul trucks.”

In recognition of her outstanding efforts with the 2018 Marine Toys for Tots Program in upstate New York, Wagner received the Marine Corps Reserve Commander’s Award.

The award praised the GM for her instrumental role in “bringing the joy of Christmas to America’s less-fortunate children.”

The MCCC, Marine Corps League, Cooper Marines and the Holley Hellhounds provided more than 67,000 toys last December. The gifts went to some 26,000 children in eight counties across upstate New York. This initiative was part of the national Marine Toys for Tots Program. A Marine Corps major started the program in 1947 as a way to provide Christmas gifts to children in need.

A time for giving

Evan at distribution center
Wagner’s son, Evan, at the USMC Toys for Tots distribution center.

“Toys for Tots’ mission is so heartwarming and inspiring,” Wagner says. “During the donation and distribution process, my 12-year-old son Evan and I were able to ‘shop’ for a family. It was truly eye-opening. When Evan learned that the gifts he was helping to pick out for the family would likely be their only presents that year, he was absolutely astounded.

“I’m so grateful to be able to show my son the enormous difference that U-Haul makes in our community.”

Going above and beyond

“Heather’s desire to help out demonstrates her desire to always go above and beyond,” Schnitzer states. “She is a true leader, and constantly looks for opportunities to help out those in need.”

“Without the U-Haul trucks that Heather provided, it would have been very difficult,” adds MCCC chaplain Gary Sauer. “All of our partner organizations are volunteer-run and have no trucks available for this monumental tasks. Without Heather’s compassionate assistance, we would have had to rely on our personal vehicles to distribute more than 67,000 toys.”

Wagner encourages everyone to look for ways to serve, no matter the time of year.

“If you’re given the opportunity to make a difference, go for it!” she exclaims. “You may think that it won’t make much of an impact, but you won’t know if you don’t try. I’m very grateful that I did.”

More articles like this one…

What’s New

U-Haul 2025 Midyear Migration Trends

U-Haul 2025 Midyear Migration Trends

Origins of One-Way U-Haul Customers Arriving in 35 U.S. Metros with 2M+ Populations This Year Summer is moving season, and odds are you have seen a U-Haul® truck being unloaded at a home near you. Or perhaps you were the one moving. With nearly half of all residential...

U-Haul Offers the Most Reliable and Road-Ready Trucks for DIY Movers

U-Haul Offers the Most Reliable and Road-Ready Trucks for DIY Movers

Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events. For do-it-yourself movers, dependability and peace of mind are essential. At U-Haul®, we have spent nearly 80 years building a reputation for reliable moving solutions. At the center of that promise is a commitment to...

U-Haul Embraces History at Ridgefield Fourth of July Parade

U-Haul Embraces History at Ridgefield Fourth of July Parade

Ridgefield’s tree-lined streets were filled with families waving American flags and applauding the iconic company that revolutionized the modern-day moving industry in their town 80 years ago. Located 22 miles north of Portland, Ore., the charming town known for being...

H2O Hero U-Haul Helps St. Vincent de Paul with Water Drive on ABC15

H2O Hero U-Haul Helps St. Vincent de Paul with Water Drive on ABC15

As the Arizona summer brings extreme temperatures, Phoenix-based nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul is ramping up their lifesaving water distribution by providing 4,400 bottles of water a day to at-risk persons seeking hydration and relief. This year, SVdP charity partner...

U-Haul Offers Disaster Relief to Central Illinois Storm Victims

U-Haul Offers Disaster Relief to Central Illinois Storm Victims

U-Haul® is extending 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at six centers across central Illinois and western Indiana to residents affected by severe weather that hit the region. Storms packing high winds swept through several counties in...