By DENISE HERSCHEL
The Leathernecks Nation MC Battleground Chapter is sponsoring its annual Toys for Tots Drive at American Legion Post 346 in Neptune Fri.,, Nov. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The event will be in conjunction with the legion’s popular bingo night. The public is welcome.
Battleground Chapter President Daniel Baldassano, who is also an American Legion Post 346 member, said the Toy Drive has taken place for the last three years with each year surpassing the prior one.
“It is a great way to lift the holiday cheer for children who are less fortunate than others,” he said. “This has become a Marine Corps tradition and an honor for us to better serve our communities. ”
Toys for Tots began in 1947 as the brainchild of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks although his wife Diane was the real inspiration. She had a few handcrafted dolls and asked Bill to deliver them to an agency that supports children in need. When he reported back to his wife that he couldn’t find such an agency, she instructed him ” to start one.”
To date, the Toys for Tots program has collected over 677 million toys for 301 million kids.
Baldassano said the donated toys should be new and unwrapped for children from newborn to 14-years-old. Cash donations are also accepted and checks collected at the end of the event are presented to the Toys for Tots Foundation.
“Last year our Battleground Chapter raised over $1,000 in monetary donations and collected several hundred toys,” he said. “At the end of the event, the local Marine Reserve Unit collects all of the donations and takes them back to their distribution center that is responsible for allocating them to local community agencies,church groups and social welfare agencies.”
There is no cost to attend the Nov. 15 event which includes bingo. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
“This has had a profound impact on our communities over the years and continues to be a beacon of hope for so many kids,” Baldassano said. “The Marine Corps family has been and will continue to be a driving light for so many children. We appreciate any support in this great endeavor.”
For more information call Daniel Baldassano at semper1976@gmail.com
