POUGHKEEPSIE – The United States Marine Corps (USMC) and New York State Police Troop K once again joined forces with K104FM radio to collect toys for the annual USMC Reserves Toys for Tots campaign. The state police staged one of their boats in front of Troop K headquarters with the target of collecting enough toys for disadvantaged children to “sink the boat.
Toys for Tots Dutchess County Volunteer Coordinator TJ Ashline was excited about the response this year, telling Mid-Hudson News that at least 5,193 children in Dutchess and Ulster Counties were receiving toys for Christmas due to the generosity and dedication of Toys for Tots supporters. “The amount of toys collected by the troopers at Troop K and the supporters who donated at any of our collection locations is nothing short of a Christmas miracle,” he said, adding, “Despite everything going on in the world, people are still willing to help less-fortunate families experience a joyful holiday period.”
This year, the Pleasant Valley Fire Department served as one of the sorting locations where volunteers sorted toys by age and gender to make sure all of the children received appropriate presents from Santa.
The Hudson Valley Regional Chapter of Toys for Tots covers Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, and Sullivan Counties. Ashline, a retired career firefighter with the Fairview Fire Department, has enlisted many of his former colleagues and many current firefighters to help with his mission of bringing Christmas to every local child at risk of feeling left out.
Comments