Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. – ‘Tis the season for giving, and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves are leading the way with the annual Toys for Tots campaign.
The Marines assigned to Detachment 1, Communication Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, wrapped up another successful year for the local Toys for Tots program.
U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kyle Kumhall served as this year’s Toys for Tots campaign coordinator for the North Central Indiana area.
He is responsible for collecting and distributing toys within nine local counties, including Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Miami, Tipton, Wabash, and White.
This year, nearly 13,000 toys were collected and distributed to over 6,000 children.
“We’re here to support the local community, especially the kids,” said Kumhall. “It’s a good feeling knowing that they all get a Christmas, even when their families are struggling, they still get to open presents and have a good time.”
Boxes branded with the program’s red train logo, and campaign information are placed throughout the nine counties. People can leave toy donations or scan the QR code to donate money or request toy donations for themselves.
“Everyone thinks of the little kids, but we support [ages] zero to 17, and we have to fill those other age groups too, so that’s why we do our Toy Buys,” said Kumhall.
A “Toy Buy,” is when donated money is used to purchase toys themselves, often at local businesses. This enables the organization to give back to the community in multiple ways.
“It builds confidence with the local community,” said Kumhall. “Showing that one, we’re here to support them, and two, that we’re not just taking their money and spending it elsewhere.”
The Toys for Tots program was founded in 1947 by U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Bill Hendricks. He collected 5,000 toys for children in Los Angeles. A year later, Toys for Tots officially became a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program. Today, the program supports 800 communities nationwide.
Grissom is home to not only the Detachment One Marines, but also the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command.
Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
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