thedrifter
11-03-05, 04:11 AM
Community, Marine Corps kicks off annual campaign
By Neil Nisperos/Staff Writer
The Marines in Lompoc are at it again with those large brown boxes for toys.
The annual Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Marine Corps, began Wednesday with coordinators hoping to distribute new toys to the city's less fortunate children.
Toys for Tots drop-off boxes are located at more than 70 locations, including Wal-Mart, Longs, Big Lots, Limo's Feed and Read More Books. Coin boxes for donations will also be available.
“Toys For Tots is a real community effort calling on the community to make this Christmas blessed for everyone,” said program coordinator Brenda Herrera. “Let's get this show on the road and get some toys in some of these boxes.”
Last year the program exceeded its registration goal of 5,000 children with a distribution to 5,600, said coordinator Brenda Herrera. This year, the program hopes to exceed that by distributing new toys to 6,000 children, she said.
Herrera said this year's collection will be a challenge for organizers because of the numerous fund-raisers for world and national disasters that Lompoc residents have already donated money toward.
“The issue is to make sure we don't forget about the children in Lompoc,” she said. “Even though there are there other needs, there are children here in Lompoc who are counting on us.”
At a kick-off ceremony at City Hall Wednesday, Mayor Dick DeWees asked for support from everyone in the community and noted the “city has always come through in the past.”
“Today is the kicking off of Toys for Tots 2005 and the goal is to make sure every child in the community has a wonderful Christmas,” DeWees said.
A retired Marine and Lompoc's Marine Corps recruiter were on hand for the Toys For Tots ceremony.
Retired Commission Warrant Officer Eugene Moon said helping with Toys For Tots is a pleasure.
“Whatever we can do to help the children, we should,” he said.
Sgt. Jesus Zacarias recently began his three-year post as Lompoc Marine Corps recruiter and was glad to help with his first Toys For Tots effort in Lompoc.
“It's all about the kids,” he said. “After all is said and done, it's the kids who are the winners.”
Families interested in registering for the Toys for Tots program should visit the Dorothy Jackson Family Resource Center, 501 North W Street (on the Clarence Ruth Campus), from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, or from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Families are required to bring proof of income such as a current W-2 form, picture identification, child's birth certificate and proof of address.
“I just want the children to know the people here in Lompoc still have a place in their heart for them,” Herrera said.
Neil Nisperos can be reached at 737-1059 or nnisperos@ lompocrecord.com.
November 3, 2005
Ellie
By Neil Nisperos/Staff Writer
The Marines in Lompoc are at it again with those large brown boxes for toys.
The annual Toys for Tots program, sponsored by the Marine Corps, began Wednesday with coordinators hoping to distribute new toys to the city's less fortunate children.
Toys for Tots drop-off boxes are located at more than 70 locations, including Wal-Mart, Longs, Big Lots, Limo's Feed and Read More Books. Coin boxes for donations will also be available.
“Toys For Tots is a real community effort calling on the community to make this Christmas blessed for everyone,” said program coordinator Brenda Herrera. “Let's get this show on the road and get some toys in some of these boxes.”
Last year the program exceeded its registration goal of 5,000 children with a distribution to 5,600, said coordinator Brenda Herrera. This year, the program hopes to exceed that by distributing new toys to 6,000 children, she said.
Herrera said this year's collection will be a challenge for organizers because of the numerous fund-raisers for world and national disasters that Lompoc residents have already donated money toward.
“The issue is to make sure we don't forget about the children in Lompoc,” she said. “Even though there are there other needs, there are children here in Lompoc who are counting on us.”
At a kick-off ceremony at City Hall Wednesday, Mayor Dick DeWees asked for support from everyone in the community and noted the “city has always come through in the past.”
“Today is the kicking off of Toys for Tots 2005 and the goal is to make sure every child in the community has a wonderful Christmas,” DeWees said.
A retired Marine and Lompoc's Marine Corps recruiter were on hand for the Toys For Tots ceremony.
Retired Commission Warrant Officer Eugene Moon said helping with Toys For Tots is a pleasure.
“Whatever we can do to help the children, we should,” he said.
Sgt. Jesus Zacarias recently began his three-year post as Lompoc Marine Corps recruiter and was glad to help with his first Toys For Tots effort in Lompoc.
“It's all about the kids,” he said. “After all is said and done, it's the kids who are the winners.”
Families interested in registering for the Toys for Tots program should visit the Dorothy Jackson Family Resource Center, 501 North W Street (on the Clarence Ruth Campus), from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29, or from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Families are required to bring proof of income such as a current W-2 form, picture identification, child's birth certificate and proof of address.
“I just want the children to know the people here in Lompoc still have a place in their heart for them,” Herrera said.
Neil Nisperos can be reached at 737-1059 or nnisperos@ lompocrecord.com.
November 3, 2005
Ellie