thedrifter
12-04-08, 07:42 AM
Fallen Marine’s mother collects gifts for children
She’s continuing the work her son loved to do to help the Toys for Tots program
By Sydney Schwartz
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Dec 04, 2008 @ 06:39 AM
Last update Dec 04, 2008 @ 06:47 AM
MARSHFIELD —
Marine Staff Sgt. William J. Callahan drove nearly 15 hours to come home for Christmas in 2006.
After a few hours of sleep, he got into his Marine uniform and headed to the Toys for Tots warehouse, as he had when he was home in the previous nine years.
That was Callahan’s last Christmas. The 28-year-old graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School was killed in Iraq in April 2007.
To honor his sacrifice and service, Callahan’s mother, Mary Ellen Callahan of Hanson, has continued to help the Marines’ Toys for Tots program.
Last year, only months after losing her son, she collected 3,000 toys in her son’s memory. This year, she hopes to double that and collect supermarket gift cards to provide holiday dinners for veterans.
But Callahan said she has seen few donations this year. At this time last year, she had already made several trips to drop off gifts at the Toys for Tots warehouse. This year she has yet to make one. She says Toys for Tots is “in dire straits.”
“It’s overwhelming. I will not stop,” she said. “It’s what he loved, and no matter how overwhelmed he was and how busy he was, he found the time and he did it.”
At 8 p.m. Friday, Callahan will host the second annual Sgt. Bill Callahan Christmas Party at the Venus II in Brant Rock. The event will include live music.
Callahan asks that guests bring new, unwrapped toys or supermarket gift cards. She is hoping for a turnout of about 200.
Gifts can also be dropped off at the Norwell fire station, Bridgewater Savings Bank, Rockland Trust, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and the Venus II, Callahan said.
“Last year was my first year of going into the warehouse, packing up, filling the orders and collecting toys,” she said. “Knowing that you can just brighten one child’s Christmas is absolutely worth it.”
Sydney Schwartz may be reached at sschwartz@ledger.com.
Ellie
She’s continuing the work her son loved to do to help the Toys for Tots program
By Sydney Schwartz
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Dec 04, 2008 @ 06:39 AM
Last update Dec 04, 2008 @ 06:47 AM
MARSHFIELD —
Marine Staff Sgt. William J. Callahan drove nearly 15 hours to come home for Christmas in 2006.
After a few hours of sleep, he got into his Marine uniform and headed to the Toys for Tots warehouse, as he had when he was home in the previous nine years.
That was Callahan’s last Christmas. The 28-year-old graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School was killed in Iraq in April 2007.
To honor his sacrifice and service, Callahan’s mother, Mary Ellen Callahan of Hanson, has continued to help the Marines’ Toys for Tots program.
Last year, only months after losing her son, she collected 3,000 toys in her son’s memory. This year, she hopes to double that and collect supermarket gift cards to provide holiday dinners for veterans.
But Callahan said she has seen few donations this year. At this time last year, she had already made several trips to drop off gifts at the Toys for Tots warehouse. This year she has yet to make one. She says Toys for Tots is “in dire straits.”
“It’s overwhelming. I will not stop,” she said. “It’s what he loved, and no matter how overwhelmed he was and how busy he was, he found the time and he did it.”
At 8 p.m. Friday, Callahan will host the second annual Sgt. Bill Callahan Christmas Party at the Venus II in Brant Rock. The event will include live music.
Callahan asks that guests bring new, unwrapped toys or supermarket gift cards. She is hoping for a turnout of about 200.
Gifts can also be dropped off at the Norwell fire station, Bridgewater Savings Bank, Rockland Trust, Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and the Venus II, Callahan said.
“Last year was my first year of going into the warehouse, packing up, filling the orders and collecting toys,” she said. “Knowing that you can just brighten one child’s Christmas is absolutely worth it.”
Sydney Schwartz may be reached at sschwartz@ledger.com.
Ellie