NMSC Civilians, Sailors Participate in Toys for Tots Program

Other than Toys For Tots, the military and toys bring you Toy Box Leadership!

From Navy Medicine Support Command Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors, civilian employees and contracted workers from the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery's (BUMED) Navy Medicine Support Command (NMSC) in Jacksonville began participation Nov. 7 in what has become a Christmas mainstay throughout the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The much-heralded U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, an initiative designed to collect new toys and distribute them to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas, is now underway for NMSC personnel. NMSC Toys for Tots coordinator and NMSC Centralized Credentialing and Privileging Directorate (CCPD) Nurse Corps Division Lead Jeannette Tuionetoa said participating in the program serves two purposes.

"Those of us in the military or working for the military are sometimes in a position where we can help out people who might not be as fortunate," she said. "Knowing that you've helped make a child's Christmas special is a good feeling, and contributing to the community [Jacksonville] that does so much for the military population here is important."

Tuionetoa said this year's Toys for Tots campaign - the third annual iteration among NMSC personnel - is scheduled to continue through Dec. 18, ample time for NMSC personnel interested in donating a new unwrapped toy to participate. She said donation boxes would be available at the NMSC Headquarters building as well as at CCPD.

Tuionetoa added that all donations are voluntary, and NMSC employees and military personnel are encouraged to participate.

"This toy drive is something that has been going on for years and while what might seem like an insignificant donation to some of us, it can really have an impact on a young child's Christmas," she said. "Each of us should count our blessings and try and help out a child during this holiday season."

Toys for Tots began as a Los Angeles charitable effort in 1947, with an estimated 5,000 toys for local children distributed that year from collection bins placed outside of Warner Brothers movie theaters. The effort proved so successful that in 1948, Toys For Tots was launched as a national campaign. Until 1979, Marine Corps Reservists (frequently in their dress blue uniforms) and volunteers would collect and refurbish used toys, but in 1980, only new toys were accepted.

In 1991, the Secretary of Defense authorized the creation and affiliation with the non-profit charity foundation and in 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.

As of 2009, the Toys for Tots Program and Foundation has collected and distributed almost 500 million toys.

Navy Medicine Support Command, which oversees CCPD, is Navy Medicine's single point of accountability for all medical education and training, and public health and resources for Sailors and Marines.