View Full Version : Toys for Tots looking for donations
Shaffer
12-07-02, 11:10 AM
You can donate to Toys for Tots by clicking on the side banner on the left hand side of Leatherneck's homepage. <br />
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Here is a story from Twentynine Palms: <br />
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It's once again the season for giving and...
Jerry:
The following URL seems to be legit--I have received it in a couple e-mails the last day or so--claims they (Excedrin.com) will donate to T4T each time somebody clicks their banner--if this is another scam, please advis asap.
http://www.excedrin.com
DickG
gunnyg: the claim is legit. On the TFT Web Site "toysfortots.org", there is a link on the Sponsor Promotions page for exedrin. If it wasn't so, the TFT Foundation would not list it so...click the sh** out of exedrin. It'll get more money into the foundation which gets more stuff to us coordinators who get the toys for the kids.
thedrifter
12-07-02, 12:52 PM
Toys for Tots........
Toys for Tots
The United States Marine Forces Reserve is once again proud to carry on our tradition of the Toys for Tots program this Christmas. Check out the Corporate sponsors link at http://www.toysfortots.org/2002/index.html There are many ways you can help the Toys for Tots program, including the donation of a toy.
Some of the Corporate sponsors have promotions which support our Toys for Tots program. One I would like you all to promote is the www.excedrin.com site, which I have placed a link to below. There is a Toys for Tots graphic on the home page. Please click on it once a day (the limit.) Each click will result in $1.00 being donated to Toys for Tots by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Tell your friends and enemies alike. We need all the clicks we can get for the needy kids.
Other sponsors have promotions that donate to Toys for Tots when you patronize them. Check out all the links.
I, like thousands of other Marine Reservists will be spending this weekend in my Blues at a Toys for Tots collection point. It is the greatest drill weekend of the year as far as I am concerned, and very rewarding. Gotta love that TV commercial, too. Classics never go out of style. Walt Disney designed the now famous Toys for Tots train logo (below) and created the first national Toys for Tots poster in 1948.
Leathernecks Link........
http://www.toysfortots.org/2001/donate.html
Exciderin.....
http://www.excedrin.com/
Sempers,
Roger
http://members.cox.net/sendit/pics/toysfortotslogo.jpg
Check out the entire TFT site. If you aren't in an area where there is a Marine Reserve Unit or a Marine Corps League Detachment that's involved, any Local Community Organization can apply to the Toys for Tots Foundation to operate a TFT Campaign. My sponsor is a chapter of Optimist International. Just get your application in early so you can get rolling by October. Info on starting a program is all there on the site. I've been a coordinator for 5 years now and will be more than happy to help anybody along interested in doing the same. Once it gets going and people in the community know you're there, it takes on a life of it's own...everybody wins!
thedrifter
12-08-02, 06:54 AM
HOLLYWOOD -- The Marines received a hero's welcome from spectators and celebrities when they helped Hollywood kick-off the holiday season by participating in the Blockbuster Hollywood Christmas Spectacular, formerly known as the "Hollywood Christmas Parade" Sunday, Dec. 1.
Celebrities from film, television and radio, as well as sports personalities and local politicians took part in the annual event that, according to publish reports, was almost canceled for budget reasons.
The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard from Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, Calif., carried the American Flag and the Marine Corps Colors and led an eclectic array of floats, marching bands, classic cars and equestrian groups through the streets of Hollywood. The 2 ½-mile parade began on a red-carpeted section of Hollywood Blvd in front of the famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" and ended nearby on Sunset Blvd.
According to Sgt. Cory A. Kelly, mounted color guard member, riding atop those beautiful horses, with the crowd screaming words of thanks and encouragement was a truly unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Mounted Color Guard rode on Mustangs of palomino color which were acquired through the Federal Bureau of Land Management's Adopt-A-Horse Program. Other mounted color guard members included MGySgt. Kim Ortamond, NCOIC mounted colorguard, Cpl. Eusebio Talamantes, Jr., and Cpl. Jeremy T. Palu.
Reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines were also on hand to raise awareness for the Toys For Tots Program.
GySgt. Connie M. Denver III, Peacetime/Wartime Support Program NCOIC and Cpl. Belinda Quezada, PWSP support clerk, and a handful of children who will benefit from Toys For Tots this Christmas, rode aboard a float donated by the toy program's official local sponsor KNBC-TV Channel 4.
According to Quezada, participating in the parade was very rewarding. "One of my favorite moments was watching how happy and excited the kids got riding on the float," she said. "They loved the attention and waving to everyone. They just had a great time."
Throughout the parade, the Marines waved at hundreds of thousands of applauding spectators crammed shoulder to shoulder and several rows deep in some sections.
The reception and support the Marines received during the parade was nothing short of overwhelming, said Denver.
Some spectators who were sitting back in their chairs or on blankets laid out on sidewalks rose to their feet to shout "thank you?s" and words of encouragement and praise to the Marines as they passed. Some children screamed and waved with joy, impressed either by the Marines or by the horses they rode.
"Watching the Marines ride by sent chills down my back and made be feel so proud," said Connie Fernandez, a Hollywood resident who brought her two kids to the parade. "They look so good up there. Big, strong Marines," she said proudly.
It was a great feeling knowing the American public appreciates the job the Marines are doing and it was an honor to represent the many Marines who are serving proudly throughout the world, said Quezada.
The Marines agreed that participation in the parade was undoubtedly a community relations success. Kelly and Quezada also agreed that the exposure to such a large audience is sure to help the recruiting effort. "Any time you get an opportunity to show Marines standing tall and proud in their uniforms, we benefit," said Kelly.
Quezada said she answered many general questions and from people who were curious about the Marines and some specifically about the role of women.
According to Kelly, these types of events can be very effective in forming attitudes and creating positive awareness in ways that hard to measure. For example, Kelly said he can picture a father and son watching the parade. The son, impressed by the sight of sharply dressed Marines and the positive reaction of the crowd, turns to ask his dad, "'Hey dad, who are they?" said Kelly. "'Son, they are Marines."
The positive impression formed at that moment can have a lasting effect, said Kelly. "If that boy is someday faced with a decision to serve in the military," he said. "He may look back on that day and decide to join the Marines."
Denver, Quezada and Kelly said they are already looking forward to next year and hope the parade becomes a yearly event for both their organizations
Sempers,
Roger
thedrifter
12-09-02, 10:38 AM
Marines come to fill 'sleighs' for toy drive
From staff reports
The Daily News
Published December 08, 2002
LA MARQUE — Marines of the First Division Association of Houston will come marching at 9 a.m. today to KB Toy Liquidators, at the Outlet Shops at La Marque for a shopping spree benefiting Toys for Tots.
Two Assault Amphibious Vehicles will make their way over the Causeway from Galveston to load their “sleighs” with toys.
Toys collected will be taken back to their Drill Center for sorting and distribution to the children of Galveston County. Staff Sgt. Jacob Whitley is this year’s Toys for Tots project coordinator.
“This takes a lot of man hours through fund-raising efforts, toy collections, sorting and distribution,” he said. “But to know that the U.S. Marines and the community are making a difference to a child on Christmas morning is very rewarding.”
The Outlet Shops at La Marque are located at Interstate 45 South, just south of the Delaney Road exit. For more information on this event, call (409) 938-3333.
Sempers,
Roger
thedrifter
12-09-02, 02:04 PM
By Greg Tyler, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, December 10, 2002
IWAKUNI MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Japan — It’s all about the expression on an orphan’s face when handed a new, brightly wrapped toy.
Each year, the U.S. Marine Corps sponsors the Toys for Tots drive to provide orphans in local communities with gifts during the Christmas season.
At Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, the Single Marine Program, according to Jay Stovall, SMP coordinator, operates the drive each year.
“It’s the same, with the only difference being we give toys to local Japanese orphans since we’re in Japan,” he said.
Cpl. Shane Bailey, 21, from Kingston, N.H., an administration clerk for Marine Air Group 12’s headquarters, volunteers virtually all of his free time to Toys for Tots, serving as sort of an unofficial program coordinator.
“I love going to see the kids at the orphanages. I’ve been here a year and a half, and I think I’ve been there about a dozen times so far,” Bailey said.
He said every time he visits an orphanage “it’s just a blast.”
“But I do all this extra work just for that one day when we visit and get to see the looks on their faces when we give them the toys. They love it so much,” he said.
Since mid-October, Marines and sailors at Iwakuni have collected enough donated toys to fill half the racquetball court used to store them on base.
By Dec. 21, the day they put on their dress-blue uniforms and begin delivering the toys to orphanages, two courts will be full, Stovall predicted.
In addition to the brightly decorated cardboard boxes set around the base, in which people can place donated toys, several other collection methods also are used.
Each weekend, Marines in dress-blue uniforms volunteer for three-hour shifts to stand in front of the base’s Marine Corps Exchange and open doors for customers.
“They don’t solicit, but having them there keeps people aware that Toys for Tots is taking place, and that they can donate,” Stovall said.
Groups other than the Single Marine Program also volunteer their time and abilities. The Iwakuni Motorcycle Club, for instance, held a special ride last weekend. The price of entry: one new toy for Toys for Tots.
“I’d say the total number of Marines and sailors involved with the program in some way — from standing out in front of the exchange to wrapping gifts to delivering to the orphanages — is about 450, 500 this year,” Stovall said last week.
It’s a service tradition, said the retired Marine: “The American military, especially during the holidays, has a very big heart for children. A lot of them are missing their aunts and uncles, cousins, and moms and dads when they are overseas and unaccompanied.
“To directly do something involving Toys for Tots, or another charity … they’re getting out of themselves,” Stovall said. “They’re getting out of the barracks and doing something for other people.”
And that, Stovall said, improves their own self-esteem.
“They feel better about themselves. Their morale goes up, and they have less reason to use alcohol or drugs. They have less reason to feel suicidal during the holidays,” he said.
It’s a win-win situation for the commands, he explained, because when morale is improved, the missions are accomplished easier.
“So it goes full cycle. From the hardest, nastiest, meanest sergeant major to the chaplain, all realize that if morale is up — and helping other people is one way to do that — then it’s an effective tool for everybody to use,” Stovall said.
Those interested in donating new unopened toys to the Toys for Tots program in Iwakuni should call DSN 253-3585.
Also, Marines in Okinawa are involved with Toys for Tots. The point of contact is Sgt. Crystal Foxworth, who can be phoned at DSN 645-5719 or 090 6861-5100, or e-mailed at foxworthce@iiimef.usmc.mil.
http://www.estripes.com/photos/11982_12910543b.jpg
Greg Tyler / Stars and Stripes
Cpl. Shane Bailey, an administration clerk with Marine Air Group 12 Headquarters at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, is shown among toys donated to the Toys for Tots program. Bailey, a key organizer for the program in Iwakuni, predicted the handball court where he is shown will be full - as will the court next door - before this year's Toys for Tots program ends.
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Opportunities to share holiday cheer
• Camp Zama:
The Angel Tree program is in full swing. A customer can select a child’s name off a tree by the cashiers in the front of the BX, purchase either the gift requested by the child or one of the customer’s choosing, and leave it by the tree for the child.
• Yokota Air Base:
The West Chapel always accepts donations year round.
• Yokosuka Naval Base:
An Angel Tree is at the NEX entrance. Like at the Zama BX, customers can select an angel for whom to buy a gift. The gifts are for children of the Shinsen Orphanage. The Christmas party for the orphanage will be Dec. 15 at Yokosuka youth center. For information, call 243-6678.
The chapel of the Rising Sun in the Neigishi Navy Housing Area also has an Angel Tree in its lobby. Donations are for an orphanage in Machida. Contact the chapel at 242-4180 for more information or to help wrap presents or volunteer for the orphanage party on Dec. 22.
• Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station:
In addition to the annual Toys for Tots endeavor, an Angel Tree program is being set up, but details were not available at press time.
• Sasebo Naval Base:
The Toys for Tots program runs until Dec. 18.
Angel Trees are at the NEX and base chapels on main base and Hario Village through Dec. 18. The chapel also is collecting adult and teen clothes for an adult shelter in Fukuoka. Drop off donations at the base chapel.
• Okinawa:
The Okinawa branch of Toys for Tots has donation boxes at the base or post exchanges on Camps Courtney, Foster and Kinser, as well as at Kadena Air Base.
The Courtney, Foster and Kadena chapels also accept donations for the toy-collection campaign. Donations will be accepted, too, at the Kubasaki High School auditorium Dec. 13-14, when the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band will give a free Christmas performance.
Throughout December, the entry fee for various Marine Corps sporting events on Okinawa will be a toy for the toy drive.
Sempers,
Roger