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Throughout its history, the United States Marine Corps have taken on some of the more difficult tasks the military has had to handle.
That fact led the Marine Corps to rely on “The Few. The Proud. The Marines.” has it recruiting slogan for quite some time, delivering the clear message that the corps takes only the best of the best.
Marine Staff Sgt. Sonlord Jean, as detailed in Sunday’s story by reporter Pat Kernan, has been hard at work that past few months on a task as well acquainted with the Marine Corps as its catchy recruiting slogan.
“We’re trying to make sure every kid in the community has a brighter Christmas,” Jean told Kernan.
Jean is in his first year serving as the coordinator of the local Toys for Tots program.
Since 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps has been running the Toys for Tots program, collecting donated toys and distributing them to nonprofit organizations, who in turn distribute the toys to kids in need.
The local effort is based out of the Marine Corps Reserve training facility on Wyoming Avenue in Wyoming.
It’s not exactly getting ready to storm a beachhead, but it’s an effort we should all get behind.
Jean said that while the group accepts toys for children of all ages, sometimes it’s older kids that get forgotten.
“Most of the toys we get are for the 3 to 5 range,” Jean told Kernan. “People don’t think the other groups need toys, but they do.”
So if you can afford it, why not add one more item to your list for holiday shopping – a toy for the Toys for Tot program.
The best way to get involved is to check out the Toys for Tots website, www.toysfortots.org. There, you can find information regarding where Toys for Tots drop boxes are located or how to make a monetary donation — which will then be used to buy more toys, according to Kernan’s story.
Drop boxes are also available at hundreds of locations around the seven counties Jean is accountable for: the northern part of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Bradford and Tioga. Jean said that all toys donated will stay in that seven-county region. Those who donate toys in drop boxes should not wrap them, instead simply drop them into the boxes. Jean said new and very gently used toys are accepted.
“Whatever people donate is appreciated,” Jean said.
It’s a worthwhile cause.
And, after all, how often to you get to help “The few. The proud. The Marines.”?