Grissom Marines kick off annual Toys for Tots drive Published Oct. 3, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Douglas Hays 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- There are only so many days before Christmas, and the Marines at Grissom are wasting no time in getting in the festive spirit. The 2014 Toys for Tots drive began Oct. 1, with Marines from Detachment 1, Communication Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group making contacts with stores and putting donation boxes in place. The mission of the Toys for Tots program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less-fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Marine Sgt. Javier Medina is spearheading the local initiative for the 2014 drive which will begin with participation a Kokomo First Friday event Oct. 3. First Friday events are held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month where the downtown district of Kokomo opens up to support local businesses and lets people see what the town has to offer. Piggybacking on that effort allows the Marines to jump start the drive in a home-grown effort, Medina said. "Our goal is to give toys to about 6,000 children," he added. "We hope to send a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive and patriotic citizens." To meet the goal, the Marines are counting on donations from the local community to help make the season bright for area children. "People are encouraged to donate new unwrapped gifts in any of the collection boxes in their area," said Medina. The boxes will be picked up Dec. 15 and sorted for distribution Dec. 18-19. Those wanting to make a monetary donation can do so at any time, he added. "We're responsible for collecting and distributing toys in a seven area counties," said Medina. Those include Howard, Miami, Grant, Cass, Fulton, Wabash and Tipton counties. It's a pretty large area to cover, especially without the help of eight magic reindeer, he joked. On base, Grissom members can place items in a box located at the Base Exchange or bring them directly to the Marine Corps Reserve building on Leatherneck Drive. 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. For more information on how to support the Toys for Tots initiative, contact Medina at 688-4405. The Marines at Detachment 1 are tasked to install and operate a combat service support operations center in a tactical environment. The base is also home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
