thedrifter
12-01-06, 06:27 AM
Local skydivers and Marines jump to help kids this Christmas
Friday, December 01, 2006
By AMBER CRAIG
The Mississippi Press
GAUTIER -- Local skydivers and Marines are literally jumping at the chance to spread Christmas joy to needy children in the area.
Skydivers and about 50 U.S. Marines wearing their military dress will be entertaining the public at the second annual Toys for Tots drive at Gold Coast Skydivers in Lucedale Saturday.
Marines with the 3rd Force Recon, along with other locals, will be skydiving at the South Mississippi Light Aircraft Field.
Gold Coast Skydivers owner Mike Igo said the Marines will be jumping to encourage people to come out and bring a toy for the annual Marine Toys for Tots effort, an annual toy drive for needy children in the area.
"We have a bunch of Marines that jump with us, and they asked us if they could set up the drive," Igo said about how Toys for Tots linked up with Gold Coast.
Last year's drive raised about $5,000 worth of toys, and Igo said that this year's campaign is off to an encouraging start.
"We've already accumulated a bunch of toys," Igo said.
Igo said the public is invited to come out and watch the event. A regular skydive, featuring people who often skydive on Saturdays at the field, will start at 9 a.m., and the Marines will jump around noon.
The Marines will also be setting up a Zodiac landing craft, a rubber raft they use for certain missions, for the public to see.
Gold Coast Skydivers is in Lucedale about 27 miles north on Miss. 69.
For more detailed driving instructions, visit www.goldcoastdivers.com.
Reporter Amber Craig can be reached at acraig@themississippipress.com or (22 934-1428.
Ellie
Friday, December 01, 2006
By AMBER CRAIG
The Mississippi Press
GAUTIER -- Local skydivers and Marines are literally jumping at the chance to spread Christmas joy to needy children in the area.
Skydivers and about 50 U.S. Marines wearing their military dress will be entertaining the public at the second annual Toys for Tots drive at Gold Coast Skydivers in Lucedale Saturday.
Marines with the 3rd Force Recon, along with other locals, will be skydiving at the South Mississippi Light Aircraft Field.
Gold Coast Skydivers owner Mike Igo said the Marines will be jumping to encourage people to come out and bring a toy for the annual Marine Toys for Tots effort, an annual toy drive for needy children in the area.
"We have a bunch of Marines that jump with us, and they asked us if they could set up the drive," Igo said about how Toys for Tots linked up with Gold Coast.
Last year's drive raised about $5,000 worth of toys, and Igo said that this year's campaign is off to an encouraging start.
"We've already accumulated a bunch of toys," Igo said.
Igo said the public is invited to come out and watch the event. A regular skydive, featuring people who often skydive on Saturdays at the field, will start at 9 a.m., and the Marines will jump around noon.
The Marines will also be setting up a Zodiac landing craft, a rubber raft they use for certain missions, for the public to see.
Gold Coast Skydivers is in Lucedale about 27 miles north on Miss. 69.
For more detailed driving instructions, visit www.goldcoastdivers.com.
Reporter Amber Craig can be reached at acraig@themississippipress.com or (22 934-1428.
Ellie