JROTC program continues to serve community
Cadets with the Kellogg High School Marine Corps JROTC collect toys at the Smelterville Walmart as part of its annual Marine Toys for Tots. Last year, more than 400 children were blessed with toys as part of the program.
Courtesy photo
Just a few of the toys that have been donated as part of the Marine Toys for Tots toy drive by the KHS MCJROTC Program.
KELLOGG — It’s the season of giving and perhaps no group embodies this more than the cadets of Kellogg High School’s Marine Corps JROTC.
Each year the cadets spend countless hours volunteering in various community service projects, but perhaps none is more impactful than their work with Toys for Tots each holiday season.
Now in their 10th year, the mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is a simple one; To collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.
Last year, in the heart of the worst surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 400 children were supported with toys last Christmas, and they fully expect the need to be greater this year.
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 to make sure that there is plenty to go around.
This includes working in conjunction with the local Santa’s Workshop, who also make sure that it isn’t just toys that the children receive, but also other holiday amenities.
“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,” said Major Craig Petersen USMC (Ret). “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.”
The benefits of this undertaking are far-reaching, but Petersen believes that his cadets may get more out of their efforts than the children who receive the toys.
“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.”
Major Petersen would like to extend a huge thanks to the local businesses that support Toys for Tots.
“If not for the generous support of Walmart, Stovern Supply stores, West Valley Insurance and Artistic Touch Nails, as well as the KHS staff and students I'm not sure we would collect enough toys to support such a large area,” Petersen said.
Toy donations can be dropped off at all of the locations that Petersen previously thanked.
