2020 no match for Toys for Tots

KELLOGG –– Over the last few weeks the Kellogg High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets have been conducting toy drives as part of the Toys for Tots.

A final count hasn’t yet been tallied, but as of this past Wednesday, they had brought in over 1,200 toys (that number has since increased).

Nearly 400 children will be blessed by the cadets’ hard work and for Major Craig Petersen, USMC (Ret) the Senior Marine instructor at KHS, it isn’t just the kids receiving the toys that are benefiting from this annual undertaking.

“I feel it’s important for the KHS students to see community support in action,” Petersen said. “If we don’t take a proactive approach to supporting volunteer activities in your community, a lot of activities would not happen. We also stress through our curriculum, that it’s important to give back to your community as much as you can. Community service or volunteerism enables students to acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as provide a service to those who need it most.”

Each year the Toys for Tots Foundation makes sure that there is a pre-allocated number of toys for local families in need and then the MCJROTC in coordination with several other local businesses, ramp up their efforts.

The local group has also partnered with Santa’s Workshop, who work even harder to ensure that the kids aren’t just getting toys, but also other special amenities for the holidays.

“Working alongside Santa's Workshop, not only do the children get toys, some also

receive socks, shirts, stuffed animals and some families receive food vouchers for Christmas dinner,” Petersen said. “It’s a great team effort, and Toys for Tots are a small part of this. The real work is done by the ladies at Santa’s Workshop.”

With 2020 being a unique year for all of us, I was so grateful for the amount of toys that were donated in a very short period.

With the unique schedule at KHS along with social distancing directives, we weren't out in the community as much this year, but the donations were on par with 2019, which was amazing.

Along with toys donated, the community was also generous with monetary donations of over $1000.

That money is only used to buy toys for this year or in the future based on specific needs.

Petersen and the JROTC would like to extend a huge thanks to their supporters for making sure that 2020 didn’t affect their support and generosity.

“If not for the generous support of Walmart, Stovern Supply, Pacifica Senior Living, The Dollar Store as well as the KHS staff and students I'm not sure we collect enough toys to support such a large area,” Petersen said.