Airmen assist through Toys for Tots

Published Nov. 28, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Brown
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Around this time every year, Travis Airmen from the 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 14, serve the people in the community and nation in a different way than service members typically do year round.

For the past 30 years during the holiday season, Airmen from this detachment have volunteered in service dress to collect toys and monetary donations at drop off locations, shop to give to those who are not able and plan events as well as secure and maintain inventory and distribute the donated gifts.

The team of 34 consists of aircraft maintenance instructors, aerospace ground equipment instructors and military training leaders. This year, through Toys for Tots, the detachment will continue its history of commitment to bringing happiness to children in Solano County and nationwide.

The 2011 numbers reflected the success of the program and the pay off for the many volunteer hours spent supporting the foundation. With 31,408 toys collected and distributed to Solano County children, every child in the program was able to receive a toy for the holiday season. This year the detachment plans to exceed those numbers.

"It's a very complex system for a detachment of this size to undertake," said Staff Sgt. Jocelyn DiMarco, Detachment 14 AGE instructor. "There is a lot of behind-the-scenes planning and execution that people don't generally see. That's why we're so grateful for our volunteers. They make it possible."

The detachment may not be large in manpower, but the passion for the cause is reflected in the unfailing commitment and dedication to Toys for Tots every year.

"We are not just instructors and military training leaders," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Moore, 373rd TRS/Detachment 14 C-17 Globemaster III crew chief instructor. "We know that for a few short months, Toys for Tots is our mission and we will not fail at that mission."

The Toys for Tots foundation is a Marine Corps Reserve function and Travis contains the only Air Force unit that performs the function. The overwhelming success the program has experienced is a result of the various avenues of support that the detachment receives.

The Marine Corps Reserve function is fully supportive of the program, Moore said. The foundation provides Detachment 14 with promotional items, banners and supplemental toys. The many collection points across Solano County have advocated for the foundation and allowed it to set up boxes around the community. Many volunteer hours are eagerly given by Travis Airmen and civilians, who begin planning months in advance every year. Donors and national sponsors allow Detachment 14 to go out and ensure every individual family request is met.

This is DiMarco's third time assisting the detachment with the Toys for Tots foundation and, to her, it's more than just an extra duty, she said.

"It's hugely rewarding to know that we are impacting kids in the community in a positive way," she said. "I'm proud to be a part of it."

The detachment is still searching for volunteers. Interested active duty, Reserve or civilian department of defense employees are welcome to sign up by going through their squadron's first sergeant.

Interested donors may drop off new, unopened toys at any of the collection points at the allotted times listed to the right. The foundation will accept donations through Dec. 22.

Monetary donations may be made at http://travis-afb-ca.toysfortots.org.