Photo By Master Sgt. Jon Holmes | (From Left) Sgt. Sheldon Curry, from Montgomery, Alabama, Lance Cpl. Gentres Anderson,...... read more read more
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - It was a Christmas miracle in the making as hundreds of people lined up to donate toys and food to the Marines for the Toys for Tots Program and the Montgomery Area Food Bank Dec. 12, 2014, in Montgomery, Alabama.
More than 10,000 toys were donated and several thousand pounds of food were given all in the hopes of helping those less fortunate.
The program found its roots in 1947 Los Angeles when Marine Maj. Bill Hendricks, a reservist, collected more than 5,000 toys to help his community. The Marine Corps formally adopted the program the very next year, and it has continued to this day.
“We don’t want a single child to go through Christmas without a toy,” said Richard McClain, with the Montgomery Marine Corps League. “It’s just not right.”
The event holds a special place in the hearts of Marines, especially those like Sgt. Sheldon Curry, an infantry Marine with the local Marine reserve unit. For him, it’s a chance to help those he calls neighbors.
“This is a great chance for us to give back to the community and help those families in need,” said Curry, who has lived his whole life in Montgomery. “I come from a family that didn’t have anything. We got fruit – apples, oranges – for Christmas. This makes a difference.”
“Those kids that don’t have anything,” Curry added. “They really appreciate just having a gift.”
Those interested in donating to the Toys for Tots Program can contact the Montgomery Reserve Unit at 334-272-8843.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2014 20:08 |
| Story ID: | 150268 |
| Location: | MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, US |
| Hometown: | MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, US |
| Hometown: | PENSACOLA BEACH, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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