Toys for Tots: U.S. Marines take over optometrist's downtown Lemoore office

Sunday, December 9, 2018 - 12:07pm

The United States Marine Corps invaded downtown Lemoore Saturday night – but in a good way. A pair of distinguished-looking Marines decked out in their impressive dress uniforms, solemnly stood guard Saturday night over hundreds of Toys for Tots gifts in the crowded office of local optometrist, Dr. Jeff Garcia.

The annual, long-running, Toys for Tots program is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which every Christmas collects and distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them for Christmas. The program was founded in 1047 by Major Bill Hendricks.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a 501 c (3) nor for profit public charity. As of 2016 the program has collected and distributed more than 512 million toys.

For Garcia, it was his annual rendition of Toys for Tots where he opens his doors to his friends and customers, the only admission a toy or two for the Marines, the military organization that annually helps collect the toys.

His friends, once having handed over their gifts to the Marines, munched on appetizers and enjoyed a myriad of beverages while at the same time enjoying in conversations with acquaintances, old and new.

 

  • U.S. Marines Gunnery Sergeant Nicholas Lopez and Staff Sergeant Anthony Carrington dutifully guard the stash of Christmas presents collected Saturday night for Toys for Tots.
  • Dr. Jeff Garcia (third from left) and his staff join the U.S. Marines as the local optometrist hosted a Toys for Tots collection event Saturday night in his downtown office.
  • A drawing for prizes was held Saturday night in Dr. Jeff Garcia's downtown office as part of the annual Toys for Tots collection drive.
  • Lemoore's Connie Wlaschin enjoys her conversation with Ray Etchegoin Saturday night at the annual Toys for Tots gathering.
  • Publish this post to LinkedIn
  • Bookmark this post on Google.
Comments powered by Disqus