Centre County Commissioners spotlight Toys for Tots, Nittany Leathernecks’ community work
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BELLEFONTE -- The Centre County Commissioners recognized the outstanding achievements of the Marine Toys for Tots and the Nittany Leathernecks Detachment-Marine Corp League at a recent meeting.
This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Marine Toys for Tots program and the 37th anniversary of the Nittany Leathernecks Detachment-Marine Corp League.
To celebrate this achievement, two representatives from the Nittany Leathernecks were in attendance -- Retired Major Gene Weller and Robert "Bob" Johnson.
According to Weller, the Toys for Tots foundation counts a total number of toys -- with five "stocking stuffers" counting as a singular toy and three books counting as one toy -- resulting in around 18,000 toys being distributed to about 9,400 children this year in Centre and Mifflin counties.
"We could not do this without a tremendous amount of support," said Weller.
The Nittany Leathernecks are an incorporated non-profit, service-oriented fraternal organization made up of active, retired and veteran Marines and Navy FMF Corp. men. Their motto is: "Valiant service is not limited to combat," which they exemplify through their acts of community service throughout Centre County and now, with additional support from the Toys for Tots foundation, parts of Mifflin County.
"Many hands make light work," said Commissioner Steven Dershem. "You've got quite a crew gathered up to get this done, and a lot of folks in the community that habitually come and help you folks out. The severe amount of work at a time when everybody traditionally is very busy, you still find time to get it done, it's pretty amazing. The Marine Corp League detachment here does a lot more than just Toys for Tots, too."
Dershem highlighted the Nittany Leathernecks' work with the Boy Scouts, their efforts to honor servicemen throughout the community and more.
"It's just amazing what you folks are capable of doing, and what a few determined folks can do to help our entire area," said Dershem.
On a national level, Toys for Tots was just 10,000 short of 10 million children helped in 2022.
"They're expanding the program," said Weller. "It's not just at Christmas time. They've had a literacy program for around 11 years and there were over 2 million books given to Title One schools last year; (they) worked with 230,000 Native Americans and are also expanding to foster children. We supported 53 in Centre County this year, but on a national basis in 2022 it was about 500,000."
"The numbers of children assisted, the broad variety of organizations helped -- I'm flabbergasted," said Commissioner Mark Higgins.
"This is really great work, and the efforts around literacy? We know that kids who have an availability of books in the home, that makes a huge difference in their literacy K-3 and then what happens there transfers on. It's really a critical window of time. It's wonderful you're working to address that. I think here in the Centre County area we've seen an increased need on the part of families in terms of families who struggle to be able to provide something special for the holidays," said Commissioner Amber Concepcion.
Weller also noted that when there are items still left after Christmas distribution, agencies are contacted who can come and take items to use for programming needs and to help out more kids throughout the county.
"There's a lot of pride in what we're doing in providing hope and joy to children - what most of us take for granted -- being able to provide simple things like toys for Christmas," said Weller.