RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Daniel Alcaraz, right, Fred Rosario and Chad Domingo collect toys donated by Napa Auto Parts and friends Sunday at Kapiolani Park.
The gift of fun
Marines re-embark on their
charitable mission of collecting
yuletide toys for needy kids
The Marines have a history of success protecting our nation. But there is definitely a softer side to these brave warriors. For 56 years the fighting force has also been spreading Christmas cheer to needy children through the Toys for Tots program. Marines collect and distribute new toys to disadvantaged children each Christmas. From 1947 to 2002 the Marines distributed more than 298 million toys to 145 million children.
Lend a hand
Salvation Army Angel Tree locations
>> Kahala Mall
>> Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange
>> Pearlridge Center
>> Wal-mart, Mililani
>> Windward Mall
Toys for Tots drop-off sites
>> Bank of Hawaii
>> Longs Drugs
>> Subway
Other ways to help
>> Contact the Salvation Army in your area
>> Bell ringing services
>> Sorting and distributing donated toys
New and unwrapped toys are being collected at drop-off locations throughout the islands. The goal is to collect at least 65,000 new toys. Used items are not accepted due to health concerns. Do not gift wrap them, so they can be examined. Donations should be dropped off in receptacles separated by age and gender. "We don't want Timmy getting a Barbie doll," said Gunnery Sgt. Rich Stampp, who is heading the toy drive.
"We understand the value of putting a new toy in the hands of a child who might not get one otherwise," said Stampp. And the list of those in need would make even Santa scurry. Last year, 23,561 children and 30 charitable agencies were served by the Toys for Tots program.
The program caters to newborns, children and teens under age 17, though Stampp said it's difficult to get items for newborns and teens. "People just don't think about it. Rattles, pacifiers, hand-held electronic games, makeup kits and pocketbooks may not be regarded as toys, but they are needed items."
Some of the donors were past recipients and want to remain anonymous. "One man came to us and made a sizable donation," said Stampp, who said the man also told him he remembers being helped by Toys for Tots when he was 8, an act of kindness that sent a message of hope that motivated him to become a responsible citizen.
THE SALVATION ARMY serves as a warehouse and distribution center for the program. Daniel de Castro, public relations director for the Salvation Army, said they have their own share of holiday help requests. "It's the busiest season of the year. Lots of families come to us during the holidays."
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Christine, Carlie and Jennifer Nerida volunteered at the Toys for Tots donation table at Pearlridge Center.
The Salvation Army has its own Angel Tree program designed for "someone who wants to play Santa Claus for a specific child," de Castro said. Children's names, ages and Christmas wishes are listed on an angel tag hanging on trees set up in major malls, and those who want to help bring in the gift listed.
Trees are located at Pearlridge, Kahala Mall, Windward Mall, Mililani Wal-Mart and the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange. Most of the angel tags bear the names of children, but a few bear requests of elderly folks in need.
"They may not have a bright holiday otherwise," de Castro said. "It's a real tangible way to touch someone's life," he said, explaining that many people in Hawaii are two to three paychecks away from homelessness.
"There are a lot of families out there that are underprivileged, and it's hard to meet all of their needs during the holidays."
The Angel Tree program tries to ensure each child receives two to four toys. "Christmas is about kids. One gift is not all that exciting."
The Salvation Army also partners with KHON for the Lokahi Tree and Adopt-a-Family programs. Businesses or civic clubs often pool their resources to adopt an entire family, he said. "The families normally have a crisis in their lives ... a breadwinner was unemployed or somebody got ill."
The organizations specify a family size, and a match is made. "They supply a holiday dinner (which could be in the form of a gift certificate) and provide presents for each of the family members, including mom and dad," he said. "It's a good way to make an impact on the family as a whole."
Others, without time to go shopping, find it convenient to simply make a donation at the Salvation Army's familiar red kettles around the malls during the holiday season. Funds raised by the bell ringers go toward helping people year-round.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Toys for Tots table at Pearlridge Center was decked with donations during a recent drive. Manning the table were Andrew Arbuckle, SSGT Donald Arbuckle, SSGT Brian Lambert, LCPL Terry Gonzales, LCPL Jordane Nuttall and Paxton Hughes.
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