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Marines team up to bring toys to FF kids
Published 10:57 a.m., November 14, 2009
Three weeks ago, Cpl. Seth Synstellien and Lance Cpl. Antoni Martin were fighting a war in Iraq. On Friday, they stood with fellow Marines in the parking lot of Service Food to promote a charitable Christmas cause.
Toys for Tots is a national campaign, sponsored by the Marines, with the intent of providing children in need with Christmas gifts.
“No kid should go without toys on Christmas,” Synstellien said.
The Marines have partnered with the Salvation Army to kick off the first year of the program in the Fergus Falls area.
“What a blessing for us to be able to partner with Marines,” said Lynne Verhaagh, community relations director for The Salvation Army. “It’s very exciting for us.”
The Marines, all of whom are based at Wahpeton’s Armed Force Reserve Center, are responsible for the collection of toys, while the Salvation Army will take on duties associated with the distribution.
Toys can be donated in boxes, located at area businesses. It is recommended that toys donated are new and unwrapped. That way, according to Synstellien, families will have the opportunity to see what their children are getting and wrap them themselves.
Last year, the Salvation Army collected toys through their own program to provide 733 children with gifts on Christmas, Verhaagh said. Each child received roughly three gifts.
Synstellien said the need this year has increased. For that reason, the goal is to collect more toys than in previous years.
As in years past, the Salvation Army will host a day when eligible families are able to come through and shop for toys. That day for this year is set for Dec. 16.
“We’re very thankful for the support from the community of Fergus Falls,” Synstellien said.
Synstellien and fellow marines say they are happy to take part in any gatherings or celebrations used to promote the Toys for Tots program.
For more information on donation locations, information on donation gatherings or to benefit from the Toys for Tots program, contact the Salvation Army at 218-739-9692 or the Armed Force Reserve Center in Wahpeton at 701-642-8001.
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the hospital i volunteer at had a "Survivor's Dinner" and part of those honored were a group of Marines who had been through our physical therapy program. my job was to assist them with various aspects of the meal and chat it up with them....wow, what a group of young men and women facing real problems with a great "I can do" attitude. i was very impressed by each and everyone of them and would be proud to call any of them my own. we are certainly blessed with some of the greatest this country has ever produced....i was honored to honor them.
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