thedrifter
12-16-07, 07:49 AM
Elves in uniform: Marines make sure needy kids get Christmas toys
Ryan Loew
Lansing State Journal
For Shontoyia James, the toy truck, wooden dinosaurs and ABC blocks she picked out for her boys Friday afternoon meant they could have Christmas this year.
James, 23, of Lansing, was one of many to select items from the Toys for Tots program at the Salvation Army Distribution Center located on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
"This program means a lot, especially to single parents," she said. "It's hard around Christmas to afford presents."
Although cash donations were down this year, Marines in the Greater Lansing area were able to meet their goal of providing at least two toys to about 15,000 needy children this year, said Toys for Tots coordinator Marine 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Smith.
Smith, a member of Charlie Company, said the toys will go to children in Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Livingston and Shiawassee counties.
The number of toys collected this year in Ingham County was similar to last year, Smith said. He has yet to tally exactly how many toys were collected.
Fewer toys were collected in other areas, though, he said, but Marines were able to use surplus toys from last year to meet their goal.
"Every Christmas, kids think about getting gifts from Santa Claus," Smith said. "It's just to make the kids happy."
Lance Cpl. Gary Reed, also of Charlie Company, said participating in the Toys for Tots program is about helping a grateful community.
"We got back from Iraq in April, and the whole Lansing area was supportive," he said. "And this is our way of giving back."
The majority of toys donated were for boys ages 3 to 8, including action figures and remote-control cars, Smith said. Toys for other age groups were purchased with donated money.
Families registered to receive the toys through the Salvation Army. Other pickup days will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Smith said.
Contact Ryan Loew at 377-1206 or rloew@lsj.com.
Ellie
Ryan Loew
Lansing State Journal
For Shontoyia James, the toy truck, wooden dinosaurs and ABC blocks she picked out for her boys Friday afternoon meant they could have Christmas this year.
James, 23, of Lansing, was one of many to select items from the Toys for Tots program at the Salvation Army Distribution Center located on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
"This program means a lot, especially to single parents," she said. "It's hard around Christmas to afford presents."
Although cash donations were down this year, Marines in the Greater Lansing area were able to meet their goal of providing at least two toys to about 15,000 needy children this year, said Toys for Tots coordinator Marine 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Smith.
Smith, a member of Charlie Company, said the toys will go to children in Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Livingston and Shiawassee counties.
The number of toys collected this year in Ingham County was similar to last year, Smith said. He has yet to tally exactly how many toys were collected.
Fewer toys were collected in other areas, though, he said, but Marines were able to use surplus toys from last year to meet their goal.
"Every Christmas, kids think about getting gifts from Santa Claus," Smith said. "It's just to make the kids happy."
Lance Cpl. Gary Reed, also of Charlie Company, said participating in the Toys for Tots program is about helping a grateful community.
"We got back from Iraq in April, and the whole Lansing area was supportive," he said. "And this is our way of giving back."
The majority of toys donated were for boys ages 3 to 8, including action figures and remote-control cars, Smith said. Toys for other age groups were purchased with donated money.
Families registered to receive the toys through the Salvation Army. Other pickup days will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Smith said.
Contact Ryan Loew at 377-1206 or rloew@lsj.com.
Ellie