Who knew that Sailors and Marines shaking hands and having light-hearted conversations with area shoppers could lead to so many happy children this Christmas?

Sailors and Marines from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Detachment at Eglin AFB are volunteering for the Emerald Coast Toys for Tots events in Okaloosa and Walton counties, and their ‘strong’ presence and impact has certainly been noticed.

“The presence alone of our service members has been enough for the community to generously give,” Casey Tetman, volunteer coordinator for the Emerald Coast Toys for Tots campaign, said. “It has become a request from our businesses as well as (the) general public. Toys for Tots being a Marine Corps (Reserve) organization has become well recognized in our counties and with that, having the Marines in their dress blues has become a staple of our success.”

The Emerald Coast Toys for Tots is an annual campaign of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the area. With a simple toy gift, a message of hope is sent to these children which will assist them to become responsible, productive and patriotic citizens. This year, the local campaign will run from Nov. 9 to Dec. 21.

Tetman said there have been a few events in the past where CNATT Det. Eglin volunteers were not able to attend, and the donations were minimal. As an example, Tetman said their toy drives bring in approximately $2,500-$5,000 monetary donations each Saturday, in addition to approximately 300-900 toys with the Marines present.

“Without them, I am lucky to get $1,000 in cash donations and the toy count is very low as well,” Tetman said. ”It has been proven that we get a lot more donations when we have our Marines.”

Gunnery Sgt. Eric Favilla, CNATT Det. Eglin’s Toys for Tots volunteer coordinator, has consistently shown up for these volunteer events. His volunteer pool consists of CNATT Det. Eglin staff and students who want to spread generosity during the season of giving.

“We have filled 61 slots in the past five weeks, totaling 244 volunteer hours,” Favilla said. “This is the strongest showing we have had in the past three years.”

Tetman said that the campaign served 10,000 kids last year and projects at least the same number served this year. She manages the campaign by community support, relying heavily on toy drives, local events and drop-off locations as a way to get the toys needed for distribution.

Tetman feels fortunate, like other coordinators before her, to get CNATT Det. Eglin volunteers out to walk in parades, stand outside of store fronts accepting donations, attending events both public and private, and being hands on in the warehouse where they count and sort the toys for distribution. As a volunteer herself, she appreciates the CNATT Det. Eglin volunteers’ tremendous impact on the campaign and its success.

“Thank you all for your help, support, time and service,” Tetman said.

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