LIHU‘E — The U.S. Marine Corps League Kaua‘i decided not to set a goal for toys donated in this year’s annual Toys for Tots campaign. While the goal for cash donations is $18,000, in these challenging times the members thought
LIHU‘E — The U.S. Marine Corps League Kaua‘i decided not to set a goal for toys donated in this year’s annual Toys for Tots campaign.
While the goal for cash donations is $18,000, in these challenging times the members thought better of setting a goal for toys collected, said Norberto Garcia, current Kaua‘i Police Department officer, retired Marine and spokesperson for the Kaua‘i chapter of the U.S. Marine Corps League.
“We just accept whatever people can give. Times are hard,” said Garcia, adding that the weekend collections this season have averaged around $1,100 in cash, mostly from sites at Walmart and Big Kmart in Lihu‘e.
New, unwrapped toys and monetary donations are still being accepted at all Kaua‘i Fire Department fire stations, Bank of Hawai‘i branches and the UPS Store in Kaua‘i Village shopping center in Waipouli, and on weekends at Walmart and Big Kmart, said John Burns, another retired Marine and league spokesman.
The $18,000 goal each year is mainly for gift cards for presents for teenage Kauaians in need, said Garcia.
Kauaians are good about donating new, unwrapped toys for younger needy children, he said.
Boxes and boxes of new toys protected from the elements by huge black trash bags outside the Walmart store in Lihu‘e on Dec. 12 attest to the fact that Kaua‘i’s spirit of giving remains strong despite the weak economy.
United States Navy personnel from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, near Kekaha, have been handling the staffing duties outside the Big Kmart, said Burns, adding that Kaua‘i’s retired Marines are appreciative of that assistance.
The Salvation Army handles distribution of toys and gift cards to needy Kauaians, to 14 organizations including Nana’s House in Waimea, state and private welfare agencies, and other entities, said Garcia.
And although the handoff of toys to The Salvation Army takes place today at the Lihu‘e Ace Hardware Kaua‘i store, people can still donate cash and toys at all the named locations through Dec. 19 and beyond, he said.
Many retired Marines have been involved in the Toys for Tots campaign on Kaua‘i since it started in 1994.
“It’s my way of giving back to the community. This is the way of continuing my service,” said Garcia, when asked the reason he is involved.
