11/18/2009
By Lance Cpl. Kentavist P. Brackin, Marine Corps Bases Japan
The Marine Corps Reserve's 2009 Toys for Tots campaign on Okinawa starts Saturday.
Ceremonies for the kick off will be held at the Camp Foster exchange at 9 a.m. and at the Kadena Air Base exchange at 11:30 a.m.
The program, adopted by the Marine Corps Reserve in 1948, has brought toys to children for Christmas for more than 60 years, according to desmoinestoysfortots.com/history.html.
"This is one of the few campaigns the Marine Corps is known for," said Gunnery Sgt. Suzette S. Smith, the Toys for Tots coordinator for the 2009 Okinawa campaign and an individual mobilization augmentee for III Marine Expeditionary Forces on Foster. "Not only is the military showing goodwill to the community, it is increasing the Marine Corps' visibility and recognition."
The Okinawa campaign ensures children of military families and eligible local community members receive a toy for Christmas, Smith said.
Last year's Okinawa Toys for Tots campaign exceeded its 10,000 toy goal by 3,000 toys. "Our goal is to exceed 13,000 toys this year," said Smith.
Collection boxes will be located at all exchanges, chapels, personnel service centers and a variety of other locations on every military base on Okinawa.
Any Status of Forces Agreement personnel, regardless of service affiliation, may volunteer at collection boxes, warehousing or special events. Fluent Japanese-linguist volunteers are needed.
Marines volunteering at collection boxes and special events such as toy distributions must wear dress blue bravo uniforms. Other volunteering service members must wear the appropriate dress uniform equivalent.
"We need lots and lots of volunteers to help with collection boxes, warehousing and the special events. We take toys for ages zero to 18 but are especially needy for toys for the older kids" said Cpl. Shivali Sharma, a volunteer coordinator for the campaign from the Reserve Liaison Office, III MEF.
Donated toys must be new and unwrapped.
For more information, call 645-8068 or e-mail shivali.sharma.as@usmc.mil.
ShareThis