Toys for Tots brightens children's holiday

Photo By Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank | Passing Wal-Mart customers place toys in the Toys for Tots box at Wal-Mart in Oceanside, Calif., Dec. 14. The Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys during the months of October, November and December each year and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. Anyone who'd like to donate a gift to Toys for Tots can visit the boxes located on Camp Pendleton and at a variety of stores off-base.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

12.14.2009

Story by Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank 

1st Marine Logistics Group

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Every year the Marine Corps supports the local community that helps them by delivering smiles to children's faces.

The Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys during the months of October, November and December each year and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.

According to the Toys for Tots website, the program focuses on helping less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in developing one of our nation's most valuable resources — our children; to unite all members of the local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

The Toys for Tots program has been touching children's lives for almost 20 years by bringing gifts and smiles to their local communities. According to Toys for Tots, from 1991 — 2008, the foundation collected more than 81 million toys valued at $487 million, with the goal of delivering a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.

"The 1st MLG is doing a good job volunteering," said Cpl. Samantha P. Cash, radio operator with G-6, Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, 23, from Somerset, Texas. "They have Marines standing by Toys for Tots drop off boxes at various locations."

Anyone who'd like to donate a gift to Toys for Tots can visit the boxes located on Camp Pendleton and at a variety of stores off-base.

First MLG has drop-off locations at its headquarters building, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, CLR-1, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, CLB-13, 14 Area gym and the Installation Personnel Administration Center.

"The volunteer work the Marines and sailors are doing is going to a great cause," said Marianne Espinoza, 1st MLG Family Readiness Coordinator, from Tuscan, Ariz. "We're here to take care of the community that supports us."

For more information about the Toys for Tots program, local areas to drop off gifts and other ways to donate, visit www.toys¬fortots.org.

• Date Taken: 12.14.2009
• Date Posted: 12.15.2009 21:29
• Story ID: 42805
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US