When we went grocery shopping the other night there was a fancy display in the entrance way. It was manned by two guys dressed in impressive uniforms, looking as if they were having a good time.
I stopped on the way out to see what it was about. Apparently I was supposed to buy a toy, but not give it to them or drop it off at the store. Instead they gave me this handout.
I read it when I got home, and I was intrigued. Uh, what did their fancy uniforms have to do with the U. S. Marines, and why were they the crew of the HMS Implacable, a British ship? Then I looked at the graphic at the bottom and looked up the Royal Manticoran Navy. The Implacable they were talking about wasn’t British, it was part of a science fiction navy. It’s also a fan club — for more details click here for their website.
One thing they say on the site is,
Our members currently include over 5,000 people from 46 countries/territories! Are you interested in being a part of our exciting adventure? We are not only fans of the Honorverse but also cosplayers, gamers, sci-fi fans and, in general, geeks. We enjoy gathering together for the camaraderie and we love to support all kinds of charities.
That explains why the two guys seemed to be having such a good time.
So what does that have to do with the U.S. Marine Reserve’s Toys for Tots? Apparently that program uses local volunteers and organizations to help collect the toys.
So, am I going to go to the parade December 7th to give them a toy? I’m afraid I’ll probably skip it. It’s one of the fun activities our local businesses have every year, and it adds to the community spirit, but it’s COLD!
I’m afraid I’m a wuss, I’ll wish them well but stay home and keep warm.
November 26, 2019
I’m a wuss, too, when it comes to standing outside in the cold for long periods of time. I see lots of Toys for Tots boxes around but this is a new twist.
Yes, this twist is completely new. I wish them luck, they have a spirit of fun.
I am so with you on staying home where it is warm….and there is always something to give to anyway. Of course here in the US, they (Toys for Tots) have places set up to drop toys. No big deal, if that is what you want to give to.
Andy says he has seen the box for Toys for Tots inside the store. I never noticed it before, but I did notice how much fun one of the fellows was having.
Yeah, me too. Staying home and warm, that is.
Hurray for cozy houses/apartments!
I’ve got a friend in Australia where her club, a motorcycle club, has a parade/rally to collect toys as they whistle stop through towns in her state…again for “every child should have a present”
Here some of the stores set up such a gifting station – or there is ways to donate to food banks for those who need a hand-up….
And then there are the Santa parades, usually people roaming along the edges of the crowds with plastic buckets for bucks and cents.
I rarely go to any of these things…somehow in recent years I have found crowds irritating – public transport overloaded – and general, “let’s stay at home”
but I agree in principle, stay home in the warmth…maybe donate online a monetary sum that allows a charity to buy the best selection of gifts.
We don’t like crowds either! But it sounds as if your friend in Australia has a good time for a worthy cause. That’s what attracted me to the fellows at the store — they were so happy.
Well that’s a fun way to collect donations but I would think they would have an alternative for people who don’t like going out in the cold. I would stay home too.
Yes, I wish them well.
I’m a wuss too. There are rallies and parades I quite fancy supporting, but not if it’s too cold or too wet. It just gets miserable. I’ll stay at home and watch them on tv!
I don’t know of any Toys for Tots schemes here, but then I’m not a parent. Parents are probably better informed.
I think parades are great for other people. I’m afraid I usually don’t even go to the ones when the weather is nice.
Our local TV station lets the marines set up a huge tent in their front yard. When doing a Toys for Tots drop-off you don’t even have to get out of the car; they will unload for you. When our daughter was little and Dave’s family exchanged gifts we had a set amount of money we spent. Once that all stopped we used that same amount of money to buy for Toys for Tots. One year it was Lego kits. Another year it was books. Another year it was basketballs and diaries for the older kids. Fun!
Your Toys for Tots sounds like a great way to do it. And I love that you still bought toys even when your kids and relatives outgrew them. That’s a sweet idea.