USNA Midshipmen Collect Toys for Local Kids

By MC2 Nathan Wilkes

The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Action Group collected more than 1,000 toys from faculty, staff, and the brigade for the 2015 Toys for Tots drive Dec. 15.

Marines from the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collected the toys in large trucks.

“So far we’ve picked up more than 450,000 toys and $39,000 in donations throughout the area,” said Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Wilk, warehouse manager for Toys for Tots Annapolis and Prince George’s County. “Every little toy makes a huge impact on the lives of children in need. No matter what you give, it’s always a big help.”

The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to children in need in the community in which the campaign was conducted.

USNA midshipmen help collect toys in their company areas to support this worthy cause.

“I’ve had the pleasure to participate in Toys for Tots for the past few years with MAG, and it gets better every year,” said Midshipman 1st Class Adam Hammer, who led the MAG collection this year. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the brigade, faculty and staff to showcase how much we value the surrounding community and how much we appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community that welcomes us.”

MAG and members of 6th Company are also working with the Salvation Army to collect toys for the community with the 25th annual Giving Tree, located in the rotunda of Bancroft Hall.

Each year midshipmen decorate a holiday tree with paper angel ornaments provided by the Salvation Army. Each paper angel has the first name, age and gender of a child in need of presents in the local community and contributors can remove one or more tags from the tree to purchase gifts for those children.

“The midshipmen always exceed expectations in their community outreach,” said Miriam Stancic, MAG faculty representative. “The Midshipman Action Group is a great example of that constant, positive engagement that everyone can appreciate, especially during the holidays.”