Osan hosts Toys for Tots softball tournament

by Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert
Airman 1st Class Alexis Siekert

11/20/2012 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Approximately 50 people stationed around the peninsula came from out to show their support and play in the 15th Annual Toys for Tots Softball Tournament Nov. 17 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

Members from Osan, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan and Camp Humphreys played in a single-elimination tournament and bared frigid temperatures for a good cause and to have some fun, said Airman 1st Class Stephen Wood, 51st Security Forces Squadron member.

The cost to enter the event was a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, a U.S. Marine Corp founded program to help the less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas. More than 100 toys were collected and given to U.S. Marine representatives before the tournament began.

"I am really excited about the turn-out and participation," Wood said. "We collected more toys than we expected, and it feels great to be involved and to help give back to the community."

In previous years, this peninsula-wide event was hosted at Yongsan, but Osan took the lead since. The Guzzlers International Softball Club co-sponsored with the Osan Air Force Sergeant Association Chapter, and Wood and Tech. Sgt. Clinton Hodge, 51st Security Forces Squadron member, helped coordinate the event.

AFSA provided food and drinks to all the players free of charge, Wood said. Players also donated money which was collected to buy more toys for the event.

Toys for Tots is primarily used to distribute toys to children in the United States, but being overseas, the toys will be distributed by Marines to local Korean orphanages, Hodge said.

"I want to thank all these guys for coming out," Hodge said. "This is a great opportunity and a great benefit."

Following the tournament, remaining players participated in a homerun derby.

"We had a lot of fun," Wood said. "We played softball and we did some good at the same time. "I feel good knowing we might have made Christmas special for the children who receive the toys."