LIHUE — United States Marine private Richard Garcia is still waiting for orders. “Right now, I’m helping as a recruiter assistant,” said Richard, who recently completed boot camp for the USMC. “Today, I’m delivering a check for $5,000 for the
LIHUE — United States Marine private Richard Garcia is still waiting for orders.
“Right now, I’m helping as a recruiter assistant,” said Richard, who recently completed boot camp for the USMC. “Today, I’m delivering a check for $5,000 for the Toys for Tots program.”
Richard said his dad, Norberto Garcia, the commandant for the Kauai Veterans Council and a Marine, couldn’t make the presentation, and sent him, an active Marine, in his stead.
Coming just two days ahead of Christmas, The Salvation Army Major Mario Reyes said the check was most welcome.
“Do you see the lines in the stores?” Reyes said. “We still have a lot more toys to get before Christmas, so I guess I’ll be standing in lines.”
Reyes said there was a shortage on all fronts this year.
“We had a lot of demand for toys,” Reyes said. “There was an agency who requested more than 1,000 pieces.”
Added to that, the Toys for Tots program on Kauai lost its coordinator when he moved to the Mainland, leaving the program in Norberto’s hands.
“Everything happened in short time,” Reyes said. “But we should be able to get everything done in time for Christmas.”
