Retired Marine Gunnery Sargeant Simon Hebert has a special connection to the Corps' Toys for Tots Program.
Growing up, his family faced financial hardships and Toys for Tots was their beacon of hope for many Christmases.
His stepfather, a Marine Reservist in Louisiana, volunteered with his local Toys for Tots chapter in the 1980s and rooted service values in his stepson. Hebert joined the Corps at the age of 19 and resumed his volunteer work with Toys for Tots after a deployment to Iraq in 2007.
“Toys for Tots became a major part of my life upon returning from Iraq in 2007, which was a major part of healing from my time deployed,” he said. “Volunteering with Toys for Tots started out as a major therapy for me and eventually became a yearly routine.”
Herbert has continued to support the program across the county for 17 years and currently volunteers his time with the Quantico Toys for Tots chapter in Virginia.
“The Toys for Tots program represents hope, generosity, teamwork and a sense of camaraderie with those that share the same ideals of taking time out of one’s busy schedule to be a part of an organization that cherishes the dreams and wishes of children, instilling and fulfilling hope and the true spirit of what Christmas is all about: Giving,” Hebert said.
Navy Federal Credit Union has been proud to support Toys for Tots’ mission for over two decades. Last year, the not-for-profit credit union collected more than 15,700 toys and donated over $47,000 to the campaign. From now until Dec. 9, NFCU is collecting donations online and in participating branches. More than 90% of Navy Federal branches are serving as toy collection sites, encouraging members overseas and stateside to stop by and donate new, unwrapped toys in the Toys for Tots bins.
“Our members and team members look forward to the Toys for Tots campaign each year,” said said Keith Hoskins, EVP, Branch Operations at Navy Federal Credit Union. “It’s a growing tradition in our branches and we’ve seen increased engagement over the past 27 years partnering with the Toys for Tots Foundation. This year, we hit a record high of more than 90% of our branch network worldwide supporting the toy drive. It fills my heart to see the joy, compassion and commitment to community in our branches that fuels our Toys for Tots campaign. We’re all in to make it easier for our members to give back this holiday season and support families in need.”
Hebert stressed that the program runs off donations of toys or money.
“These donations help to provide support to families that are experiencing financial difficulties so their children can have the ability to enjoy Christmas without these difficulties hindering their happiness,” he said.
Find a branch nearby or donate online here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.