Base aids Toys for Tots

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Volunteers from the 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 14 recently pooled their efforts together to gather more than 7,000 toys to donate to needy families and charities.
The detachment has coordinated 'Toys for Tots' collection distribution and points throughout Solano County for 34 years.
"The coolest thing about [Toys for Tots] is that 100 percent of what is donated goes right back into the community," said Staff Sgt. Vincent Edwards, 373rd TRS aero-repair instructor.
The volunteers set up drop off sites at more than 70 locations, including local businesses. Some larger sites are in the Solano Mall in Fairfield and at the Base Exchange every weekend.
They also have held toy drives with local charities to gather as many toys as possible before Christmas. Recently, they partnered with the Dixon Police Department to collect toys from more than 250 bikers at a motorcycle run.
After the toys are gathered, they are brought to the training detachment and sorted.
"We sort the toys according to if they are for boys or girls, then we divide them again according to their appropriate age groups," said Staff Sgt. Jared Longren. "Sorting all the toys takes the longest amount of time and we are always looking for more volunteers to help."
When the toys are separated, they are delivered to churches, charities and other groups that requested them, said Sergeant Longren.
The volunteers use their own vehicles and deliver toys when off-duty and on weekends to more than 40 churches and charities families need help in the holiday season.
"It always feels good to drop off toys to a church and see how extremely happy they are to get them," said Sergeant Edwards.
The collection points are up until Dec. 18 so toys can be wrapped and delivered before Christmas, said Sergeant Longren.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Sergeant Longren at 384-2806.