MacDill's Operation Toy Drop
Lt. Col. Dennis Harrison, USSOCOM jumpmaster, directs parajumpers for a free fall jump from a C-130 at 10,000 feet during "Operation Toy Drop" here Dec.18. For this event, 196 Jumpers from SOCCENT, SOCOM, JSCE, CENTCOM, SOCSOUTH and the 20th Special Forces Group donated toys to benefit the USMC Reserve Center's Toys for Tots drive. "Operation Toy Drop” jumpers had to donate toys in order to manifest for this jump. During the 59 years of the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U.S. Marines the unchallenged leaders in looking after less fortunate children at Christmas. Over its 16 year life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented local toy collections with more than 70.2 million toys valued at more than $387 million and provided promotion and support materials valued at over $4.7 million.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ronnie Hill)