Elementary students gather to give toys BY AngElA SmIth
On a cold December morning, children waited in a winding line at Viera Regional Park – not to play a soccer or football game, but for the chance to individually donate an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program. Pastor Mark Moreno of Hope Lutheran Church in
Melbourne organized the toy drive, which was held during the first weekend of December. Children from three Suntree and Viera elementary schools gathered as part of Moreno’s Christ on Campus program, an after-school group that meets monthly to play games and FREE Glass of House Wine with any of our Nightly Chef Specials!
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make crafts while reading and understanding the Bible. “This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” Moreno said. Moreno, who’s also a Navy chaplain and a Marine Reservist, knows the needs some families have during the holiday season. He set out to help the Toys for Tots program while also teaching the importance of giving back. “For kids and parents this is an opportunity to help the less fortunate and to teach their children about caring for other people, which is an important part of their life and faith and an important part of a community,” Moreno said. “Getting exposed to events like this will help shape a compassionate adult.” The two-hour event included flag football, potatosack and egg and spoon races and a table for children to make cards for deployed service men. More than 100 students and parents from Ralph Williams Elementary, Suntree Elementary and Quest Elementary attended, giving each child the opportunity to meet other Christ
VIERA VOICE Photo
Children form a line to pass toys to the U.S. Marines at the Toys for Tots toy drive organized by the Christ on Campus organization on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010 at Viera Regional Park. on Campus students while also donating a toy for a good cause. Lynn Park’s 11-year-old son, Bradley, attends Suntree Elementary and participates in the Christ on Campus program. Lynn believes the event helped her son understand the importance of giving back. “I hope that he learns to live by example and helping people in the community,” Lynn said.
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At the end of the event, as Barbie dolls and Matchbox cars passed through the line, participants watched as the Marines filled a truck with 149 toys. Due to the children at the event, Christmas will be brighter for someone in need, someone who might be just like them. For more information about Christ on Campus, visitvierawest.org or contact Mark Moreno at 321-242-1610. VV
Viera/ Suntree Relay for life meeting Viera/Suntree Relay for Life is looking for teams, sponsor and volunteers. If you are interested in learning more, attend the meeting on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at Viera High School. For more information contact Dee Parton at dparton@cfl.rr.com. VV
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