Marines come through for kids at Christmas
Dec. 11—Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Marine Corps, thousands of families will be able to have Christmas gifts for their children through the annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Monday found a number of parents lining up at the Meadows Shopping Center in Terre Haute to go hunting for something their children would enjoy. The final distribution day will be Thursday.
"The age group 4 to 6 always gets plenty of toys, so right now, the 4 to 6 age group is really feeling loved," said Staff Sgt. Ramirez Aidian, in his first year as coordinator for Vigo County Toys for Tots. "Through monetary donations, we've made sure that the other age groups at least get two toys."
Skylor Couch was selecting toys for her sons of 2, 5 and 9 and her 11-year-old daughter.
Rebecca Shelton sought gifts for her two boys and one girl, ages 2, 10 and 1.
"I just want to make sure they have something for Christmas this year," Shelton said. "Absolutely anything."
She had kind words for the Marines who collected the toys.
"They help a lot of people in the community," Shelton said.
Aidian estimated that more than 5,000 toys were placed in boxes disseminated throughout the community, and monetary donations contributed to create a total between 12,000 and 15,000 toys.
"The event's always great, I love doing events with different companies and businesses," Aidian said. "All the work the community put in to make all this happen, just to see these families come through who need it, it makes it worth it."
David Kronke can be reached at 812-231-4232 or at david.kronke@tribstar.com.
