Page 5 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Nov 24, 2021

Like Santa’s elves, Ibarra also has a dedicated team of volunteers in the Toys for Tots shop. Assisting him this year are Sgt. Nathan Stew- art and wife Clairece, along with 1st Sgt. Jeremy Bland and wife Christina. The pro- gram also receives help from social welfare and communi- ty agencies, church groups, businesses and more.
Founded in 1947, the first Toys for Tots was held in Los Angeles when Maj. Bill Hendricks and the Marines in his reserve unit collected 5,000 toys for children in need. Hendricks also worked as the director of public re- lations at Warner Brothers Studios, and was friends with many celebrities who
Volunteers Clairece Stewart and Christina Bland sort through toys by age and gender in preparation for present distribution this Christmas season.
didn’t have toys. My mom was going through some hard times, and at that time (I was maybe 8 to 11 years old), I was at school and they selected a couple of students that were going through some hardship. They would take us to this huge party with a combination of dif-
“Clairece is in the ware- house sorting and counting
“I think these programs (like Toys for Tots) are very important. These gifts pro- vide a memory for a lifetime.
For more information, email hilo.hi@toysfortots.org.
“I remember being part of a similar program when I was growing up,” shares Ibarra. “There were a lot of times growing up that I
ferent schools in the district, and they would call us up on stage and hand us our gifts. I still remember that skate- board that they gave me, and I got a basketball.
Iknowitdidforme.Ibe- lieve if we can provide that type of kindness to our local children, they will grow to be better people and be able to give back that kindness and ultimately enjoy a great holiday season.”
NOVEMBER 24, 2021
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 5
Marines Get Ready For A ‘Toy’-ous Season
FROM PAGE 4
even though I was being re- stricted by a lot of things. I was quarantined for almost 28 days of the campaign because I was still traveling and doing my job for the Ma- rine Corps.
the toys, coordinating the volunteers and getting col- lection boxes out,” notes Ibarra. “And Christina is helping with a lot of the re- quests for toys.
supported the inaugural Toys for Tots program, including Walt Disney, who designed the first Toys for Tots poster that included the iconic min- iature three-car train logo.
“It was probably one of the hardest things I’ ve done.”
“A lot of people believe that the military bases or the Marines are the ones who benefit from this, but it’s na- tionwide and within our lo- cal communities. Donations collected here, stay here.”
In 1991, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was established to help run and support the Marine Toys for Tots Program, and current- ly distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million children annually. In 2001, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i at Kāne‘ohe Bay officially launched a local campaign, making this year its 20th an- niversary.
Your child’s life is precious.
Don’t wait.
Vaccinate.
Hoku and Emma, COVID-19 survivors
A stuffed dog (above) and an assortment of other toys (inset) will soon be distributed to nonprofits and families experiencing hardship.
The FDA has authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 and above.
HawaiiCOVID19.com/Vaccine