Toys for Tots receives first toy of season

Courtesy Photo | The first toys of the holiday season were donated during the kick-off event for the 20th annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive at the exchange on Camp Foster Nov. 5.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.05.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Kris Daberkoe 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The first toys of the holiday season were donated during the kick-off event for the 20th annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive at the exchange here Nov. 5.

In 1947, Maj. Bill Henricks, a reservist stationed in Los Angeles, created the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, which collected 5,000 toys for poverty-stricken children during the Christmas holiday season that year.

Since then, the mission of bringing the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children has grown in size and impact.

The donation of this year’s first toy symbolizes the beginning of the Toys for Tots season, said Staff Sgt. Henry Borom, an event coordinator with Toys for Tots.

“One Marine reservist started the Toys for Tots program, and in those years since, it has grown to become one of the best children’s charities in the United States and the world,” said Col. Nicholas F. Nanna, the commanding officer for Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and camp commander of Camps Foster and Lester. “Every soldier, sailor, airman and Marine that works aboard the installations here on Okinawa has contributed in some way to the Toys for Tots program.”

Last year, 14,517 toys were distributed to needy children. The program’s planners hope for even greater contributions this year.

“In these troubled times, a parent may be faced with making the decision to buy either a toy, some food or a piece of clothing for their child, and on Christmas day that child receives nothing,” said Nanna. “In many cases, the only toy that many children will receive on Christmas will come from the Toys for Tots program.”

“The program is driven by volunteers. The people who work here on island not only donate toys to the program, but they also donate their time,” said Lt. Col. Garret Miller, a reserve liaison officer at Camp Courtney. “When it gets to be the holiday season and you see Marines across America in their dress blues outside of shopping areas, it’s obvious it’s for a noble cause — the collection and distribution of toys for underprivileged children.”

For more information about giving to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, call 645-8073.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2011
• Date Posted: 11.13.2011 01:28
• Story ID: 79971
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP