Photo By Master Sgt. Faiza Evans | To commemorate the success of the toy drive the battalion conducted a Toy Distribution...... read more read more
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - During the holiday season, one military police company's desire to give back and help those in need sparked the gift-giving spirit throughout the entire battalion.
Capt. Shannon Johnson, commander, 51st Military Police Detachment, wanted to recommend four of her soldiers that were experiencing financial hardship to Santa’s Castle to help in making the holiday special for their family.
Santa's Castle has a specific mission, and that's to provide as many holiday gifts as possible to struggling military families and their children during the holiday season.
“All of the names I submitted to receive toy donations from Santa’s Castle were accepted,” said Johnson. “I was so appreciative that I decided it was time to give back. I wanted to start a toy drive to donate toys to assist other families and the idea really evolved from there.”
The battalion leadership liked the idea so much the unit expanded on what started as a company effort to raise 150 toys, to a battalion effort to collect more than 250 toys though a toy drive.
“I wanted to make this a special event and promote the giving spirit in the unit. I made a toy bag out of an old duffel bag and we used that to place the toys inside,” said Johnson. “Not too long after we started our efforts, the bag was full and toys were spilling on the floor.”
To commemorate the success of the toy drive the battalion conducted a Toy Distribution Run to Santa’s Castle. Soldiers ran in formation to Santa’s Castle carrying a toy to place under the tree.
“It was the most awesome experience to know the command cared enough to submit me to get toys for my children," said Sgt. Mitchell T. Conley, 51st MP Detachment.
More than 200 soldiers from four companies and three detachments as well as the key leaders in the battalion provided support to the toy drive and run.
“The toy drive had a significant impact on the Dragon Fighter Battalion,” said Lt. Col. Robert R. Arnold Jr., commander, 504th Military Police Battalion.
“Not only did it help foster the holiday spirit of giving in our soldiers, our participation assisted fellow soldiers and their families in need. Additionally, our participation supported the battalion’s efforts to focus on leader development and soldier and family resiliency,” he went on to add.
Santa’s Castle has been helping collect toys for military children and families since 1994 and is a volunteer-based organization that takes donations all year round. Last year, Santa’s Castle provided toys to 837 families making Christmas just a little brighter for 1,866 children.
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2014 13:45 |
| Story ID: | 119867 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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