Edwards' Marine detachment delivers hope through Toys for Tots campaign

  • Published
  • By Stephen K. Robinson
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The stated mission of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program is to deliver toys. Marines collect new, unwrapped toys between mid-October and mid-December and deliver them as gifts to children in need - newborn through age 14.

The program's goal is to deliver hope.

"The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, through a new toy at Christmas," said Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Derek B. Hicks, Antelope Valley Toys for Tots drive coordinator.

Antelope Valley residents will see Marines stationed at toy collection points located at stores on base and throughout the Antelope Valley. Marines like Private First Class Trendale I. Moore, who stood watch during the Thanksgiving holiday at the collection site in the Base Exchange.

"It does not bother me in the slightest (spending Thanksgiving on watch) because it's for a good and worthy cause," Private Moore said.

"But, we still need more donations to reach those who need," said the San Diego native.

The principal Toys for Tots activity takes place each year, during the holiday season, and is to collect and distribute new and unwrapped toys in the communities in which a Marine Corps Reserve Unit is located, said Sergeant Hicks who is from Marine Air Group 41, Detachment Alpha, stationed at Edwards.

The geographical area that Marines stationed at Edwards are responsible for is from, north to south, Mojave to Santa Clarita and, east to west, Boron to Tehachapi.

Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns at Christmas each year since 1948. The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to bring the joy of Christmas to needy children.

Sergeant Hicks, a ground support equipment mechanic by trade said, "It takes a good crew of people to help make such an annual event successful and I have just that in Sgt. Walter Vidal, a flightline mechanic at MAG 41, Det. Alpha. He and the group of Marines he's recruited to stand watch at the various collection sites in our area do an outstanding job of representing the Marine Corps at its best. I feel they play a key role in the success of this year's annual drive."

In communities without a reserve unit, the campaign can be conducted by a Marine Corps League Detachment or group of men and women, generally Marine veterans, authorized by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to conduct a local campaign.

"The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout our geographical area of responsibility experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in our area of responsibility in a common cause each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future," Sergeant Hicks said.

Those who would like to recommend Edwards residents who meet the age requirement to receive gifts can do so through the following link: http://edwards-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp/.