Toys for Tots Helps Less Fortunate Children on Christmas

United States Marine Corps Reserve “Toys For Tots” In Silver City Gives To More Than 1000 Less Fortunate Children

The Official “Toys For Tots” campaign in Silver City has collected and distributed toys for less fortunate children in Silver City and the surrounding area. The official list contained 1,095 kids from ages 0-17, but that number steadily grew as Christmas Day approached.

Photos Courtesy of the Marine Corps League

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit public charity, is recognized by the U.S. Marine Corps as the authorized fund raising and support organization for the Toys for Tots Program. Since there is not a Marine Corps Reserve Unit in Silver City the Marine Corps League, Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328 are charged with handling of the event. Local Volunteers and Coordinators are the Danna Lopez (Marine Corps League) Jerry Friedler (Kiwanis Intl.) Delores Miller (Copper Country Cruizers) Carla & Ron Marquez, (St. Francis Newman Center); also were Lupe Flores, Wanda Garcia, Mickey Dale, Mick & Dorothy Marty as well as local Marines. Major contributors were Wal-Mart, Deming Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola and Lawley of Silver City.

“The “Biggest Contributor” is our community!” Danna Lopez stated "It never ceases to amaze me how much our community cares for and expresses its love for our children”. Danna Lopez also commented that “There is always someone in need and less fortunate than us, and it is truly heart-warming to see our citizens and business owner’s pull together for these kids.”

Some teachers from the School District raised funds with their classrooms, then went shopping to donate to TFT. Several events at WNMU promoted TFT and encouraged spectators to donate a new unwrapped toy. Many businesses saw generous contributors donate multiple items at their locations and they all had pleasant stories of why they support Marines. Lawley of Silver City promoted a very successful event filling a Truck-Bed with Toys and Bikes. Wal-Mart and Deming Coca-Cola teamed up with the Marines to collect Toys in front of the Shopping Center. Pepsi Corporation had some of its local employee’s go shopping for toys to donate. Imperial Tile donated the use of their cargo truck to pick up all the boxes.

“So many people contributed, volunteered and made this a magical season for our local children” Commandant Larry Himes of the Marine Corps League, Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328 stated, “This level of support helped us maintain the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots as the unchallenged leader at looking after less fortunate children at Christmas.”

This year the businesses and locations where an official box was located were also listed on the League’s website, www.mcl1328.com. If anyone was not sure if a TFT box iwas legitimate they could check the list and know they were donating to the official TFT Campaign. Official Posters and local Volunteer Organizations will also be displayed on boxes. Security and confidence of donations is always a concern and the League will continue to try and make every donation get to a needy child.

The Marine Corps Reserve believes that “Every Child deserves a Little Christmas,” The gift of a shiny new toy - something that most children take for granted - means to a needy child that someone cares, that he/she hasn’t been forgotten, that Christmas hasn’t passed him/her by. The Marine Corps League, the Coordinators and Volunteers wish to “Thank Everyone” who dropped off a toy or contributed to TFT this year. If we failed to list someone, please accept our apologies but know that you have our utmost gratitude.