Grissom Marines accepting Toys for Tots donations Published Nov. 21, 2016 By Staff Sgt. Dakota Bergl 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- With the holidays in full swing Marines from Detachment 1, Communication Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group will be accepting donations for their annual Toys for Tots campaign until December 15.The primary goal of Toys for Tots 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.The mission of the Toys for Tots program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less-fortunate children in the community."The Marines here do a great job running Toys for Tots," said Douglas Hays, 434th Air Refueling Wing public affairs operations chief. "They are a prime example of Grissom being a good neighbor and immersing itself into the community."The principal Toys for Tots activity which takes place each year is the collection and distribution of toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located. In communities without a Reserve Unit, the campaign can be conducted by a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women, generally veteran Marines, authorized by Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to conduct a local Toys for Tots campaign.The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 when Maj. Bill Hendricks, a Marine Corps reservist founded Toys for Tots in Los Angeles. During that first campaign 5,000 toys collected with the first toy being a handmade doll.In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.Each year Marines located at Grissom have continued to support the program.The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
