MacDill members supporting Toys For Tots

  • Published
  • By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christine Hannon
  • Navy Public Affairs Support Element - East
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Military and civilian members at MacDill Air Force Base are helping to make a difference this year supporting Toys for Tots Tampa Bay.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is a premier community action program and the only charitable endeavor within the Department of Defense reaching outside the military establishment giving back to communities. Their mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute the toys as Christmas gifts to needy children
throughout Hillsborough County. The group, founded in 1947, works to present two toys to each child based on their age and sex.

Hillsborough Community College, one of the many colleges offering classes on base is helping to collect toys for the Hillsborough County operation with collection boxes at all five campuses.

"I heard about it through advertising at school on base," said Carol Wagner, an HCC education major who attends classes at the MacDill campus. "There is a need for children to have toys for Christmas from Santa."

The Navy Operational Support Center Tampa helped continue collections during the weekend drill.

Builder Constructionman Yardley Demps, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14, Det. 0414, donated a new, unwrapped toy during her drill weekend Dec. 6.

"It feels good to give to the less fortunate," said Seaman Demps. "I love kids, and every kid deserves a childhood. I was lucky. I always had a good Christmas growing up, and I feel like every kid deserves to have a good Christmas."

The goal of the U. S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

If you forget to bring a toy to school or work you can catch the Marines Dec. 19 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' football game or drop off your donation at any local Publix grocery store.

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer P. Harman contributed to this story.