Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes staff are sharing their love during the holiday season making sure that all children in the Great Lakes area have gifts to open on Christmas day Dec. 10.

Sponsored by the Petty Officers Association, Sailors are collecting donations for the Toys for Tots program ran by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts.

Sonar Technician Surface 2nd Class Faith Rivera and Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Kia Nuno lead the charge to collect for Toys for Tots. Over 100 toys have been collected in each of the barracks, TSC Headquarters and TSC Training building.

“Toys for Tots is always a big event in my home town. Growing up I got to see firsthand how much these donations meant to families who couldn't afford to get their children toys for Christmas,” Rivera said. “Every year since then I have donated to help spread Christmas joy to less fortunate children. This year I was given the opportunity to coordinate this event for TSC Great Lakes with Nuno.” 

She, and others, spent the day packing up vehicles with volunteers to transport donations to a collection center.

“The response from both staff and students has been phenomenal,” Rivera said. “It is so uplifting to see how excited Sailors are to put their desires aside and help bring a tangible sign of hope and joy to children this Christmas. It is incredible how such a selfless act can change Christmas for these families.”

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.