Military joins ranks in Toys for Tots program

When you think of a Marine what comes to mind? Pushups, intense training, prestige, dedication, perhaps some serious rump kicking action? Well, this Saturday at the Elks Lodge in Palmer one of the most revered military services will participate in a kinder action: handing out presents.

At the lodge, Marines from Anchorage Marine Corps Reserve Unit, in conjunction with country singer Ken Peltier, will be on hand to kick off the 3rd annual Cowboy Christmas Toys for Tots Drive from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The event is open to the public and admission is free with the donation of a toy. The evening will feature gift giving, dancing, raffles, silent auctions, and live music courtesy of Peltier.

“The last couple of years the turnout for Cowboy Christmas has been excellent,” said co-coordinator Cris Skinner. “Everybody has fun, everybody has a good time there and the support for this program in our community is overwhelming. And everything donated in the Valley stays in the Valley.”

Skinner, a former Marine, saw a need in the Mat-Su Valley more than four years ago and teamed up with James Hastings, retired U.S. Army and past exalted ruler at the Elks Lodge, to help families in need.

“We noticed there was no Toys for Tots in the Valley, and we partnered up with the Elks Lodge and started Country Christmas, all in an effort for Toys for Tots and we have had some phenomenal years,” Hastings said.

He hopes this year will be no different as he expects about 150 people to attend the toy drive.

The large turnaround can be attributed to community support.

“People in community really seem to like it,” said Lance Corporal Patrick Keber of the Anchorage Marine Reserve unit.

But for Keber, the Toys for Tots program has a very personal touch.

“I really do enjoy it and I like to giving back to the community. I get a lot of people that come up and thank me for helping the kids. Just the other day I stopped off at a house and gave some toys for a lady that was going through chemotherapy and gave some toys to her children. It was really a touching moment.”

The personal aspect is one that he enjoys so much that he plans to volunteer for next year’s special section of Toys for Tots program where he will travel all over Alaska delivering gifts.

The reserve unit started some collections for the holiday Saturday with the “Fill the Hummer Community Challenge.” Skinner started the challenge five years ago, and this year it took place in Wasilla’s Fred Meyer parking lot. The goal is to stuff a Hummer with as many presents as possible for Toys for Tots. And Skinner said this, like every year, was a success.

“It went well, a lot of folks recognize the Marine and thanked him for his service and for helping in Toys for Tots. It was nice to see community come together,” she said.

The important thing to remember is that it helps kids throughout the Valley, Hastings said. He added, “I want to encourage everybody to come on out, there are a lot of people in need and we can help them.”

If you are interested in donating to Toys for Tots, contact Cris Skinner at 841-7456.

Contact Lanier Hutcheson at lanier.hutcheson@frontiersman.com or 52-2265.