Local marines deploying in new year
EyeOutForYou.com, CA

More than 40 Kern County Marines will deploy just after the first of the year, and while they will devote most of their time over the next few months to spending time with their family, they say their annual Toys For Tots program will go on as scheduled.

The Marines will be preparing to go overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They marines could not give specifics on where they are deploying to but will be gone for several months. The marines tell Eyewitness News they want the public to know their deployment wil not impact their toy project.

A spokesperson for the Marine Corps said they are still taking donations for the 'Toys For Tots" program and so far they have collected more than 30,000 toys for needy children.

1st. Sgt. Nichelle Mason, U.S. Marine Corps, "It's still going to happen. Toys are going to be available for the families that need them. It is going to be just as large as it has normally been in Bakersfield. It's just that we're not going to be doing it here, going with the Salvation Army to collect the toys and distribute them."

The Toys For Tots collection boxes will start appearing around town in the middle of the month. Toy distribution is scheduled for December 22nd at the Marine Corp offices at 4201 Chester Ave.

Ellie