New York Red Bulls and Bayer Team Up to Score STEM Gifts for Toys for Tots

MLS side the New York Red Bulls have teamed up with pharmaceutical and life sciences company Bayer to deliver hundreds of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) toys to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Red Bulls defender Connor Lade helped the team deliver the educational toys that will go to children in need who wouldn't normally have access to STEM toys.

The Red Bulls front office held an internal toy drive to help add more STEM toys to give away to children in underserved communities.

“Children are naturally curious about science and the world around them,” said Dr. Mae C. Jemison, astronaut, medical doctor, chemical engineer and Bayer’s longtime Making Science Make Sense Ambassador.

“The earlier children are introduced to foundational STEM skills, the more successful they are in all areas of learning. Exposing boys and girls of all backgrounds to STEM through play is a great way to open up a whole new world of possibilities.”

Toys for Tots, a 70-year national charitable program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides happiness and hope to disadvantaged children during each Christmas holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by the Marines offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory for a lifetime. 

Last year the Marine Toys for Tots Program fulfilled the holiday hopes and dreams of 7 million less fortunate children in 792 communities nationwide. Since 1947 over 244 million children have been assisted.