Holiday Charity Run Brings Toys for Tots

GULFPORT (NNS) -- Nearly 500 Army, Navy and Air Force staff and students from the Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) took a run down Broad Avenue in the first NCTC Holiday Beach Charity Run Dec. 17 to deliver Toys for Tots.

This year's designated charity received nearly 500 toys to benefit local underprivileged children.

"NCTC's efforts and support is helping us go over last years total to reach more boys and girls during this holiday season," said Marine Staff Sergeant Jaime Rodriguez, the manager of the Toys for Tots program who said he was overjoyed to receive the gifts.

The run commenced at the schoolhouse barracks where service members ran a 1.4-mile route to the beach accompanied by a festively decorated vehicle containing the gifts.

The toys were formally presented to Toys for Tots by NCTC's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Bill Finn; Charlie Company Commander, 169th Engineers Cpt. Mike Smith; and Detachment 6 366th Training Wing Commander Lt.Col. Kevin Wong.

During the presentation Cmdr. Finn's word's captured the event.

"This was a great effort by all staff and students. Our thanks go to the 169th Engineers Charlie Company for putting this together and the efforts of all our staff and students who will be making a difference this Holiday Season," said Finn.

After the presentation, the joint service formation returned back to NCTC, cooled down and attended a continental breakfast.

Naval Construction Training Center staff and students includes Detachment 6, 366th Training Wing, USAF, and Charlie Company 169th. Tri-Service training not only occurs in the classroom but in the community as well.

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