Insights
How the Robbinses’ Turned a Personal Tragedy into Joy for Hundreds of Kids with Toys for Tots and ThoughtFocus
Pic: Rand Robbins with wife, Kim, and granddaughter, Norah Pearl. Mark appears in the photo.
For Rand Robbins, former Director of Talent Acquisition at ThoughtFocus, the Toys for Tots program represents a deep, personal commitment to his family and community. Rand and his wife, Kim, lost their 25-year-old son, Mark, to illness in 2012, so they established a South Jersey arm of the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, to honor his memory. “Mark was a joy-filled person. In school, he was the one who kindly included the new kids in his social circle and as an adult was just so warm and welcoming. He coached youth basketball and was the center of our universe. Our son continues to inspire us in making a difference,” said Rand. “We chose Toys for Tots as it gives underprivileged children joy in the holiday season.”
The annual fundraiser for the Mark H. Robbins Toys for Tots program was held in November at a bowling alley with families, friends in attendance and raised a record $15,000. Rand remembers, “an amazing night filled with compassion, generosity, love.” Their project has no overheads, so every cent raised is spent on a child’s toy. Rand and Kim do the work and enlist friends and family for the fun part – buying the truckload of toys. Rand described his amazement and gratitude for ThoughtFocus’ support of the program, adding “We’ve been able to share Mark’s joyful legacy with hundreds of less-privileged children. On behalf of my entire family, we want to thank ThoughtFocus from the bottom of our hearts!”
ThoughtFocus is proud to support the Toys for Tots program with a big helping hand from our employees..
