Toys For Tots 2011

We served at the annual Toys For Tots distribution this year, and it was something else... Since we saw that they were kind of lacking in items to hand out last year, Luann found a toy wholesaler in Orlando so she and Katrina drove over there and bought a pallet of toys, then drove back to drop them off at the distribution warehouse. After doing that, we were stoked with the desire to help out with the distribution this year. Of course, there were shortfalls, but through some very hard work between the staff and volunteers, every visitor was well taken care of. We thought this little train was totally cute...  Since T4T is directed by the Marines, the opening ceremonies were performed by the military ROTC cadets from neighboring schools.  Here is a view of some of the distribution areas in the warehouse. Since we used a cellphone camera, some of these shots weren't all that clear.  This is the stocking stuffer table. It was a bit smaller this year than from the previous years we have been doing this.  And here is the stuffed animals table. I remember the first time we helped out and the stuffed animals were piled high into a mountain of critters, with more boxes filled with them being used as the table.  This is the books secction. Thankfully, there were a bunch more books tucked away in the boxes, and they stretched out just enough to take care of everybody.  DING! Off we go, because it's time to get down to business. We were so busy that this was the last picture we were able to take. This year, this facilities' commitment was to help about 3200 families, and we were told that 1200 of them stopped by our table. It was a mad-house as people sorted through boxes and put items on the tables for the parents to select through, but we got it done... Every year, we are thankful we have this opportunity to contribute in some way in order to give back tot he community, and we'll be looking for more ways to help out throughout the upcoming year.