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First Lady Delivers 'Toys for Tots' Donation
(December 19, 2009) |
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STAFFORD, Va., Dec. 16, 2009 – First Lady Michelle Obama
delivered a van full of toys and a holiday message of giving
today to volunteers at the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys
for Tots distribution center here. |
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| First Lady Michelle Obama
delivers toys donated by White House staff to
the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots
distribution center in Stafford, Va., Dec. 16,
2009. |
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“That's what America is all about -- people already
sacrificing, stepping up and doing a little bit more,” the
first lady said. “We are just so proud and so grateful for
what you are doing for this country, for what you are doing
for this effort, and we will be a part of [the Toys for Tots
program] for as long as I'm in the White House.”
Obama brought with her several bulging sacks of toys donated
by the White House staff. The staff has donated more than
500 toys – including clothes, books, markers and board games
-- to Toys for Tots so far, a White House official said.
About 30 percent have been delivered here to support the
Marine Corps Base Quantico campaign, and the others are
slated for a distribution center in Washington, D.C.
The first lady lauded the Toys for Tots volunteers, many of
them active-duty and reserve Marines, for “stepping up” to
help. The program collects new, unwrapped toys each fall and
then donates them to needy children throughout the nation
during the holidays.
“In a time when you all are already serving and making such
a huge sacrifice, all of you, the troops and their families
... show America that you can dig even deeper in this time and
put your time and effort into making sure that kids all
around this country have something wonderful to wake up to
on Christmas morning,” Obama said.
The first lady also noted the importance of families in the
effort. “We know that the Marine Corps -- you guys -- do a
lot of the work, but you couldn't do what you do if you
didn't have your families supporting you,” she said. “So I
want to thank all the spouses who stepped up as well.”
Obama urged Americans to continue to donate through Dec. 22,
the program's deadline, emphasizing the need for older
children's toys.
“We have more than enough toys for younger children. One of
the challenges that this program has is really finding toys
for the older kids,” she said. But, “There's still time. I'm
going to go back shopping. We still have a couple more days,
and we're going to pick up some more toys for 11- to
14-year-olds.”
Now, “Let's get to work; we have work to do,” she said as
she pitched in to help the volunteers sort toys.
Retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. H. Pete Osman, CEO of the Toys
for Tots Foundation, accompanied the first lady on her tour
of the warehouse.
“Her genuine interest in trying to find out exactly how a
local campaign works was very, very apparent,” he said.
The volunteers working alongside the first lady said they
were thrilled by her support.
“I don't think I have words for it,” said Marine Corps Staff
Sgt. Christopher Gordon, Marine Corps Base Quantico campaign
coordinator. “This is my first year ever doing Toys for Tots
as a Marine, and I was not expecting this kind of
attention.” He said he hopes her support drums up some more
donations.
“I'm almost scared now,” he joked about the anticipated
response.
The first lady's visit offers “a great opportunity to
highlight what we do for the community,” Marine Corps Maj.
Max Stapp, Quantico campaign program administrator, noted.
Her visit also helps “get the message out: we still need
toys,” he said. The Quantico campaign's goal this year is to
donate 150,000 toys to 75,000 children.
The first lady pledged her support for the program earlier
this month.
“Each time I visit a base or meet with members of our armed
forces and veterans, I'm struck not just by the
extraordinary sacrifices they and their families make to
serve our country, but by all they do to help others right
here at home in their own communities,” she said at a Dec. 2
holiday media preview.
“And the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is
a great example of how servicemen and women are doing even
more than just serving our country in uniform,” she
continued. “For more than 62 years, Marines have distributed
more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy
children.” |
Article and photo by Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009 |
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