Marines’ Toys for Tots ensures every child receives a Xmas gift

Marines have a reputation of being the “toughest” branch in the military, and carry that reputation with pride.

However, during November and December it might be challenging to find a Marine that isn’t smiling and working hard to spread joy throughout the community.

What makes this time of year so special for the Marines? The short answer is the holidays, since it brings well-deserved time off to celebrate with family and friends.

But if you look a little closer you’ll see this the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves stepping up with a program meant to ensure every child has something to open on Christmas day. Toys for Tots.

The Marines take great pride with this community outreach program and have been handing out toys for underprivileged children since its founding in 1947.

In the Corpus Christi area Gunnery Sergeant Tyler Arnold is coordinating this year’s program. Arnold has participated with Toys for Tots the past two years and looks forward to another successful campaign this season.

According to Arnold, in 2017 the Toys for Tots organization that serves the area handed out more than 58,000 gifts to 22,585 children. These gifts included toys, books, stocking stuffers and more.

Arnold says these numbers are more than they regularly distribute because they doubled their commitment, supporting victims of Hurricane Harvey last year.

Nevertheless, Arnold says he confident the organization will meet the needs of the Coastal Bend. “We have more than 60 drop sites throughout the Corpus Christi area, and I’m sure there will be more to come,” Arnold said.

Company C, 1st Battalion 23rd Marines is the unit that spearheads the program for the Coastal Bend. It covers three counties San Patricio, Nueces and Aransas. The only local city not covered is Bishop as its falls under the Kingsville Toys for Tots Coordinator.

Arnold said the best way for people and businesses to help is to go to the website, https://corpus-christi-tx.toysfortots.org. There you can make donations or you can request that your business become a drop site.

If your family would like to receive gifts through the Toys for Tots program, you can apply on that same website under the tab, “Request a Toy.”

It’s because of this program and the generosity of those who donate, that Toys for Tots has been so successful, and will continue to be successful for years to come.

Arnold said the donation cut off time will be around Dec. 7. The pickup date and location will be at Sunrise Mall between Dec. 18 and 20, from 2 to 7 p.m. However, Arnold said to check the website as it will be updated throughout the month.

For more information on the Toys for Tots program you can visit their website or call (361) 442-5715.