An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Joint Base Airmen support Toys for Tots campaign

  • Published
  • By the 15th Wing Public Affairs Office
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Leaders here demonstrated support for the Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" campaign Dec. 3 by collecting toys for less fortunate children in the local community.

"Team Hickam's participation in the Toys for Tots campaign reaffirms our strong commitment to serving the needs of our Hawaii ohana," said Col. Dann Carlson, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam deputy commander and 647th Air Base Group commander.

The Toys for Tots campaign is a charitable tradition supported and executed by service members since 1947. Toys for Tots Hawaii has established a close, working relationship with local social welfare agencies, church groups and other local community agencies to distribute the toys.

The campaign, which began Nov. 18, requests patrons drop off new, unwrapped toys at collection sites located around Joint Base.

"Donation boxes can be found at a number of public facilities, including the Base Exchange, 24-Hour Shoppette, Airmen Family Readiness Center, the Kai Makani Community Center and squadrons," said 1st Lt. Kathleen Eisenbrey, Team Hickam Toys for Tots project officer.

After collection, Team Hickam toys are then picked up and sorted at a warehouse managed by the Joint Base Office of Emergency Management.

"Donations halfway through the campaign have been large enough to fill six large collection boxes," said Staff Sgt. Rob Cook, 647th ABG Toys for Tots project officer. "I am amazed at the generous gifts given by Airmen as we've collected enough toys to fill a moving van."

The new toys are then transported to the Marines Corps Reserves at Marine Corps Base Hawaii before they are distributed to children in need by the local Toys for Tots coordinators.

"It is important to remember that all monetary and toy donations that come from the Islands stay on the Islands," said U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ed Hans, Oahu Toys for Tots action officer for the Marines Corps Reserve.

Hans said that more than 45,000 toys were collected from 200 donation locations on Oahu last year. The campaign runs through Dec. 14. A complete list of donation sites can be accessed at http://kaneohe-bay-hi.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx.