Oklahoma Teen Hosts Largest Ever 4-H Toy Giveaway With 15K Toys for Kids in Need

Annual Holiday Toy Drive, Organized by 4-H’er Reed Marcum, Distributes Toys to Families Across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas

MCALESTER, Okla. – In its largest event yet, the annual 4-H Toy Giveaway organized by Reed Marcum, a 19-year-old 4-H’er from Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, distributed more than 15,000 toys today to children and families in need across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

Marcum and his team of over 100 volunteers distributed toys, clothing and other essentials to families in a line of vehicles stretching more than three miles near the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester.

Marcum launched the annual toy giveaway through Oklahoma 4-H in 2016 – 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 spread holiday cheer each year and give away more than 64,000 toys to date.

“It means so much to make a difference for families going through hard times and see the smiles on kids’ faces when they get the toy they’ve been wishing for all year,” said Marcum. “Our annual toy drive has grown over the years into something that brings people together to support one another and celebrate this season of giving. It all started because 4-H believed in my potential and helped ensure I was beyond ready to tackle the challenges I saw in my community.”

All together, Marcum’s community service projects have raised more than $3.5 million in funds and donated items. Marcum’s first 4-H service project – the 4-H Book Bag Giveaway – has distributed more than 30,000 book bags to kids of all ages. After a member of his community lost his life to pediatric cancer, Marcum started the Hudson Strong Foundation, a 501c3 organization which raises funds in support of pediatric cancer research and creates opportunities for other children to feel loved, develop self-confidence, and reach their full potential.

In 2024 the National 4-H Council named Marcum as a winner of the 2024 4-H Youth in Action Awards, which honors 4-H’ers who have used their 4-H experiences to create a lasting impact in their community.

“For almost a decade, Reed’s dedication, compassion and leadership have been a shining example of how 4-H’ers can transform their communities through service,” said Greg Owen, Pittsburg County 4-H Educator and Marcum’s mentor. “Reed’s journey from a shy fifth grader to the accomplished young man he is today is truly inspiring, and I know he will continue to have an even greater impact on his community in the years to come.”

Marcum is currently a sophomore at Oklahoma State University studying pre-law with an emphasis in sociology. He plans to bring his public speaking and leadership experience to the courtroom as a criminal defense attorney.

For more information on the 4-H Toy Giveaway or to arrange interviews with Marcum, local 4-H leaders, or others involved in the event, please contact 4hcouncil@ssmandl.com. To contribute to the fund that supports the annual toy drive and Marcum’s other service projects, click here.  To learn more about 4-H, visit 4-H.org.

 

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.

Learn more about 4‑H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.