MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS -- More than 2,000 Marines with MCCES participated in the run, in which they carried toys purchased to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.
“Here today, we witnessed the dropping off of the toys,” said Col. Harold B. Eggers, commanding officer, MCCES. “What we don’t get to witness is the distribution. Everybody here today who put a toy in one of those boxes made a difference in the life of another human being.”
Marines selected a large variety of toys to donate; ranging from stuffed animals to board games. According to Staff Sgt. Michael A. Perez, instructor, MCCES, the Marines’ donations yielded more than 1,200 gifts.
Many of the participants said they felt that giving back to the community we serve through programs like Toys for Tots is simply part of being a Marine.
“I think it’s a wonderful way for Marines, as a whole, to show our character,” said Lance Cpl. Zach Lopez, ground radio operator, MCCES. “It shows that we aren’t just thinking about ourselves and are thinking about those that we serve.”