Compass Points - More Than a Toy
Giving at Christmas
Compass Points - More Than a Toy
Giving at Christmas
December 20, 2024
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The Christmas season is a time of giving. The Marine Corps is known for giving to the United States all year long in a variety of ways, but as the holiday season approaches many Marines do their giving as part of the Toys for Tots campaign.
It was Walt Disney himself who designed the iconic three car Toys for Tots train logo. It takes more than just a toy train, however, to move all those toys. For example, in Alaska it takes Alaska Air Cargo.
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Spreading Christmas cheer
As a dedicated airfreight division of one of the largest airlines in the US, Alaska Air Cargo is no stranger to the transportation of heavy loads to remote and far-flung locations. This December, however, its workload will take on a more wholesome angle, as the operator teams up with the US Marines to deliver some 16,000 pounds (more than 7,250 kg) of toys to young children living in remote communities.
The carrier is doing so as part of its Toys For Tots collaboration with the US Marines, with the partnership now having been in existence for 14 years, although the wider Toys For Tots scheme itself dates back into the 20th century. More than 8,000 children will receive Christmas gifts as part of the initiative, with Alaska Air Cargo Captain and long-time Toys For Tots volunteer Tom Sharkey remarking that:
"It’s an incredible feeling to give a child a toy, and you see the happiness and the joy. (...) I see them smiling and laughing when the boxes arrive. Doing this brings joy not only to me, but to all the people involved. They have a significant impact on their communities, they really do. (...) I’m just a Christmas man."
-- Simple Flying
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The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to assist the U. S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas.
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Toys for Tots, a 76-year National charitable Program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, provides year-round joy, comfort, and hope to children in need across the Nation through the gift of a new toy or book. The impact of these toys and books offers children in need recognition, confidence, and a positive memory for a lifetime. It is such experiences that help children become responsible citizens and caring members of their community. Since 1947, the Program has evolved and grown exponentially having delivered hope and the magic of Christmas to over 291 million children in need.
-- Toys for Tots
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Why are Marines so passionate about the annual Toys for Tots campaign? Marine SSgt provides his own personal answer.
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About eight years ago, I was a Sergeant, I believe, and I was in my dress blues – so I was a door greeter that year on distribution day. We had a foster group coming that day, and I handed this little girl a bag of toys. As she looked at me, she reached into her bag and handed me this stuffed animal and said, “Someone needs to make sure you get a toy, too.”
I had to leave the room for like five minutes because I couldn’t stop crying. This little girl – who literally had nothing, who was in a home that was not her original home and was away from her family, with strange people – had a big smile on her face and pulled out one of her toys and gave it to me and said, “Someone needs to make sure you get a toy, too!” That right there sealed the deal for me and why I have always been a huge advocate for Toys for Tots and done everything that I could to make the program better and to help wherever I’m stationed.
-- SSgt Caldwell, Toys for Tots
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Whether using a toy train or an air cargo plane, it is never too late to donate to Toys for Tots. Compass Points salutes all the Marines and volunteers helping with this year’s Toys for Tots Christmas campaign as well as all the Marines who -- in their own ways -- have given so much to Corps and Country.
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Simple Flying - 12/19/2024
Santa Backup: Alaska Air Cargo Teams Up With US Marines To Deliver 16,000 Pounds Of Toys For Tots
By Jake Hardiman
https://simpleflying.com/alaska-air-cargo-teams-up-us-marines-deliver-toys-for-tots/
In the early 1990s, the Toys for Tots foundation was, for reasons that need not be reiterated here. In deep trouble. The commandant, General Munday, was seriously considering scrapping the Toys for Tots mission and organization.
Into this issue stepped recently retired lLieutenant General Matthew "Terry" Cooper who orchestrated a miraculous turn-around of Toys for Tots. Within a couple years, it was not only four-star rated by Charity navigator, but it was also one of the highest rated charities in the nation, with nearly 95% of all donations being returned as toys for children throughout the nation.
I had the privilege of knowing General Cooper and being involved during that time of crisis. General Cooper was affectionately called the Rottweiler Man, because when he took hold of something he never let go until the mission was complete. Toys for Tots stands today as a living memorial to his dedication.
So many kids have had a visit from Santa due to this program! Semper Fi, Santa, wherever you are!