In Corpus Christi, Santa Claus comes clad in camouflage. Marine Staff Sgt. Andres Moratalla Jr. serves as coordinator of the 2015 U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. Photo by Suzanne Freeman
The Marine in charge of Toys for Tots in the Coastal Bend for 2015 decided to double the number of toys received, along with the number of kids who signed up to get those toys. To do that, Staff Sgt. Andres Moratalla Jr. also had to increase the number of volunteers.
A member of the inspector/instructor staff for Charlie Company 1st battalion 23rd Marines at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Moratalla says part of his motivation came from having two kids of his own. He also credits his father, another proud member of the Marine Corps, who headed the Toys or Tots program in Michigan 15 years ago.
“I’ve known some friends who were underprivileged who became Marines because they received a toy from a Marine in dress blue,” he said. “It was a positive influence for them.”
The U.S. Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948, one year after Major Bill Hendricks delivered 5,000 toys for kids in Los Angeles. Walt Disney designed the Toys for Tots red train for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program. Toys for Tots collected $284 million in 2014, the best year ever in the program, which has involved Presidents and First Ladies throughout its history. Toys for Tots is accredited by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
In Corpus Christi in 2014, kids received about two toys each. For 2015, Moratalla made sure each young person in the program received two toys, two books and stocking stuffers.
TO VOLUNTEER
Teams of volunteers are needed each year to work in the warehouse sorting toys and at Sunrise Mall organizing and distributing toys. Groups or individuals wanting to help can Toys for Tots through the website at corpus-christi-tx.toysfortots.org.
TO DONATE TOYS OR MONEY
Donations of money or toys are welcome. Toys can be donated through participating organizations, at a variety of public events, including La Posada and the Harbor Lights Parade, or on location at Sunrise Mall. Monetary donations can be made via the website at corpus-christi-tx.toysfortots.org.
KIDS IN NEED
Kids in need can sign up to receive gifts from Toys for Tots either in person at Sunrise Mall (during the holiday season) or online. Organizations and churches can collect toys for kids they know who are in need as well. Register the kids in need online, and representatives from the organizations can pick up the toys at Sunrise Mall.
Any organization that would like to become a toy drop site, host a Toys for Tots event or have a Marine speak to its members about volunteering and donating can email toysfortotscctx@gmail.com.
