Toys for Tots By Kenneth Riege USAF Veteran 1985 – 1993
“HEAVY IS THE WEIGHT OF FREEDOM; BLESS ALL WHO HAVE CARRIED IT”
elin” orders and was called home. I phrase it this way since “Travelin” Jack” was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Left is a picture of Corporal Travelin Jack in his uniform.
Here is a little history of the “Toys for Tots Program. The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 as the brain child Once again we find ourselves approaching Christmas (fun- of Marine Corps Reserve Officer, Major Bill Hendricks. In all actuality, it was Major Hendricks wife Diane, who was the ny how it happens every year) and while 2020 has had it’s real inspiration behind the program. She was a very artistic challenges, I find myself feeling so blessed with a beautiful person and had several handcrafted dolls that she had made family and friends and living in the best community, in the and had asked her husband Bill to deliver them to an agency best state and in the best country in the world.For the past that supported children in need. Well when Major Hendricks 4 years now, the Comfort Suites in Gallup has assisted the reported back to his CO (CO stands for Command Officer, United States Marine Corps Reserves and the Navajo-Hopi which in this case was his wife Diane) that he was unable to Honor Riders with the “Toys for Tots” program and this year find such an organization, he received his next set of orders will be no different. It is a great honor to be able to assist these great community programs and to help bring a smile to from Diane which was to “start one.” Major Hendricks and the Marines of his reserve unit in Los Angeles collected and a child’s (and their family’s) face. In years past we have had the honor of having Ms. Jill Lane distributed 5,000 toys in 1947 and thus began the annual “Toys for Tots” program and the Marine Corps Reserves inand her beloved companion “Travelin’ Jack” join us in this volvement. For more information on this program and how campaign, but sadly “Travelin’ Jack” received his last “travyou can be more involved please visit:www.toysfortots.org A few years ago, I was honored to meet my “brother from another mother” Mr. Bobby Martin who heads up the “Navajo Hopi Honor Riders.” This amazing program of dedicated patriots do so much for our communities, our veterans and families and our great country. The Comfort Suites in Gallup, NM is extremely honored to be teaming up with Brother Bobby and the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders to collect toys for our local children. So please when you can, stop by the Comfort Suites in Gallup at 3940 E. Hwy 66 and drop off a new, unwrapped toy in one of our drop boxes and while you are here, make sure to look at all of our amazing exhibits in the Comfort Suites Lobby Museum. We have added quite a
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December 2020
