Handing the check over to Msgt Butler
With a group at the toy sorting facility!
And then they let us play . . .
Sorting a bunch of toys just brought in from a branch of the DC Fire Department!
Perplexed by the toy sorting -- I wasn't sure I'd be able to sort the toys into the appropriate age groups until I was informed that the package usually tells you that information:)
EEEEE!! Lyndsay and I just got back from the toy sorting facility out at the Anacostia Naval Annex, just north of Bolling AFB. What an experience!! Beginning at 7am each morning, Marines, volunteers from other branches of the armed services and civilian volunteers sort and organize toy donations to be processed and sent to one of the toy distribution centers in the area.
At the distribution centers, many more volunteers work to process the toys into specific family groups and orders. This huge undertaking takes place in numerous donation centers across the country -- these people really are making holiday dreams come true and ensuring that kids don't have to wake up empty-handed on Christmas morning! In the Washington DC area alone (including Northern Va and Montgomery County), Toys for Tots distributes toys to over 82,000 children.
I am so happy that we were able to contribute so much to this undertaking. This morning, I wrote Toys for Tots a check for $1,886. Toys for Tots purchases toys at a steep discount from toy manufacturers, so the money donated will certainly go a long way! Everyone's efforts in this venture are seriously INCREDIBLE and I love you all! Msgt Butler said that he has received sizable contributions from corporate groups and organizations but that a donation of this size absent some corporate coordination is really unprecedented. He admitted that when I first contacted him he was skeptical that the venture would be particularly successful and in his mind hoped I wouldn't be too disappointed if it didn't work. I assured him I know far too many amazing people for that to happen. He also said he was surprised that I wasn't old:)
After chatting with MSgt Butler and presenting him with the check, Lyndsay and I stayed around for a bit to hang out and help sort toys. Everyone involved in the process is a lot of fun and genuinely vested in the project. They had a lot of fun with us newbies and one of the navymen even tried suggesting that Lyndsay and I hop the fence to go see Marine One. Concerned that we were quite gullible, one of the reservists felt compelled to tell us we'd probably get shot at if we tried that. I don't know much about military bases, but I do know that attempting to access the President's transportation is not a great idea:) West Wing taught me that.
Its time for me to finish a final and head to the Mitten. I know my Mom has come up with several holiday photo opportunities for my time in Grand Rapids, so keep up the good work everyone!
TOTALS!!! As mentioned -- I wrote a check for $1,886!! ($1520 PayPal + $366 cash & check)!
Yesterday's TOYYYYYYYYS!:
Paulo Palugod
The Hendrickson Family
Rob & Kasey Brown
Sunita Mohanty
Courtney Henson
Jay Schmakel
Tom & Jessi Ferri
Lindsay Spadoni
Shreelekha & Saroj Mohanty
Pete Salzler
At the distribution centers, many more volunteers work to process the toys into specific family groups and orders. This huge undertaking takes place in numerous donation centers across the country -- these people really are making holiday dreams come true and ensuring that kids don't have to wake up empty-handed on Christmas morning! In the Washington DC area alone (including Northern Va and Montgomery County), Toys for Tots distributes toys to over 82,000 children.
I am so happy that we were able to contribute so much to this undertaking. This morning, I wrote Toys for Tots a check for $1,886. Toys for Tots purchases toys at a steep discount from toy manufacturers, so the money donated will certainly go a long way! Everyone's efforts in this venture are seriously INCREDIBLE and I love you all! Msgt Butler said that he has received sizable contributions from corporate groups and organizations but that a donation of this size absent some corporate coordination is really unprecedented. He admitted that when I first contacted him he was skeptical that the venture would be particularly successful and in his mind hoped I wouldn't be too disappointed if it didn't work. I assured him I know far too many amazing people for that to happen. He also said he was surprised that I wasn't old:)
After chatting with MSgt Butler and presenting him with the check, Lyndsay and I stayed around for a bit to hang out and help sort toys. Everyone involved in the process is a lot of fun and genuinely vested in the project. They had a lot of fun with us newbies and one of the navymen even tried suggesting that Lyndsay and I hop the fence to go see Marine One. Concerned that we were quite gullible, one of the reservists felt compelled to tell us we'd probably get shot at if we tried that. I don't know much about military bases, but I do know that attempting to access the President's transportation is not a great idea:) West Wing taught me that.
Its time for me to finish a final and head to the Mitten. I know my Mom has come up with several holiday photo opportunities for my time in Grand Rapids, so keep up the good work everyone!
TOTALS!!! As mentioned -- I wrote a check for $1,886!! ($1520 PayPal + $366 cash & check)!
Yesterday's TOYYYYYYYYS!:
Paulo Palugod
The Hendrickson Family
Rob & Kasey Brown
Sunita Mohanty
Courtney Henson
Jay Schmakel
Tom & Jessi Ferri
Lindsay Spadoni
Shreelekha & Saroj Mohanty
Pete Salzler
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