Photo By Donna M Cipolloni | PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (Nov. 25, 2017) - Capt. Preston Sunderwirth with the Marine...... read more read more
Santa’s got a few good men helping him as the Marines from NAS Patuxent River’s Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD) once again partner with the local Marine Corps League — a civilian organization of Marine veterans — to collect toys for the children of families in need during the 2017 Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.
Donation boxes, sporting the iconic red Toys for Tots train logo, are in place out in the community at major establishments up and down Route 235 and across the air station in various buildings and high-traffic locations such as the NEX, Commissary, health clinic, and throughout Building 2272.
“Every [program office] has been challenged by the MAD commanding officer, in the spirt of friendly competition, to provide the most toys by the cutoff date,” said Marine Sgt. Roy Marcquell, this year’s Toys for Tots coordinator.
Donations must be new and unwrapped toys, but beyond that, almost anything goes.
“People give footballs, basketballs, Barbies, drones, Hot Wheels and Matchbox race cars, board games, Legos, books, fire engines...the list goes on,” Marcquell said.
The group works with local social services agencies to identify local families in need of a little extra support and all toys donated stay right here in St. Mary’s County. Last year, more than 10,600 toys were collected and another 1,700 were purchased with money received through donations, according to the St. Mary’s County Toys for Tots office. More than 1,300 children were reached.
The final pickup was Dec. 9, after which the toys were counted, sorted, and displayed at the distribution center for parents to come pick out what they want for their children Dec. 16 and 17.
Marcquell has coordinated Toys for Tots at a previous command and finds it satisfying to know he plays a part in making Christmas enjoyable for so many children.
“Every child should have a great Christmas,” he added.
| Date Taken: | 12.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2017 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 259055 |
| Location: | PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 91 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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