Grissom Marines need toys for tots by Dec. 15

Published Dec. 3, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Sharing the same last name with Father Christmas, albeit pronounced differently, is not the only way a Grissom Navy corpsman is similar to the man in red, as both are charged with giving children a merrier Christmas.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Casey Claus is spearheading a local initiative for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign, along with the rest of Grissom's Detachment One, Communication Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group.

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.
"Our goal is to give toys to about 6,000 children," Claus said before adding that the unit isn't close to where they need to be for this year. "Normally our drill deck is packed, but we've got plenty of room this year, and we're hoping that changes soon."

For those changes to come without a workshop of elves, Claus and the Grissom 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 Claus. 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.

And, while Saint Nick has to cover the entire globe, Claus and the Grissom Marines have a pretty large area to cover themselves, especially without the help of eight magic reindeer.

"We're responsible for collecting and distributing toys in seven area counties," said Claus. Those include Howard, Miami, Grant, Cass, Fulton, Wabash and Tipton counties.

On base Grissom members can place items in a box located at the Base Exchange or bring them directly to the Marine Corps 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, Calif. 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 Claus at 688-4406.

Grissom is home to not only the Detachment One Marines, but also the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, and three Army Reserve units.

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Grissom Marines need toys for tots by Dec. 15, 2013

Grissom Marines need toys for tots by Dec. 15

Public Affairs Staff