It’s never too early to kick off the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots drive, as organizers gathered July 25 at the police department’s SWAT unit, 8501 State Road.
Staff Sgt. Corey Toothman, last year’s coordinator, has handed the reins to Gunnery Sgt. Jacob Bostwick.
Jen Malazita is back as the warehouse manager. She announced that, last year in the Philadelphia area, a record 91,000-plus toys were collected and distributed to more than 56,000 kids.
Toothman presented a certificate to deputy city managing director Mike Garvey and certificates and plaques to the Marine Corps League and Mission BBQ community ambassador Shannon Sperduto-Wong for their efforts.
“No child should ever go without a Christmas,” Sperduto-Wong said.
Sperduto-Wong was honored for a decade of service to Toys for Tots. The Mission BBQ at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. used to host the Toys for Tots kickoff – last year, it was on Sept. 30 – until it closed. Sperduto-Wong has remained with the company and will continue to work there following her upcoming move to Florida.
Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom Kane got the event underway by singing the Star-Spangled Banner. The fire department’s Engine 46 was in attendance, along with members of the police Highway Patrol and state Sen. Joe Picozzi.
Toys for Tots gave donations to Christmas Babies. The group’s president, Ashley Capaldi, said SWAT helps Christmas Babies deliver gifts to young crime victims and children in the DHS system or in the hospital. Last year, Christmas Babies helped 466 children.
Malazita said, to obtain a drop box or host an event or for nonprofits and families to request toys, go to philadelphia-pa.toysfortots.org starting Oct. 1. Nonprofits must make a request by Nov. 14 and toys will be distributed through Dec. 5. Families must make a request by Dec. 5, with distribution lasting through Dec. 19.
More information is on the Philadelphia Toys for Tots Facebook page. ••
