Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes staff are opening their hearts during the holiday season making sure all children in the Great Lakes area have gifts to open Christmas day.

Led by the TSC Holiday Committee and Petty Officers Association, Sailors are busy collecting gifts for two organizations which assist in the lives of kids during the winter season.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts, and The Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program which provides gifts of new clothing and toys to thousands of children who otherwise might not have anything for Christmas.

Navy Military Training Instructor (NMTI) Petty Officer 2nd Class Alyssa Ligday leads the charge to collect for Toys for Tots. More than 400 toys have been collected in each of the barracks, TSC Headquarters, and TSC Training building.

"I think getting my shipmates involved is important because it shows a sense of community, and it shows the community we live and work in that the Navy cares and wants to be involved and make the community a better place for all," she said. "Also getting the students involved helps teach them that the Navy is an organization that does great things within the community, and that it's not just a military force, but that we are a family and community driven force as well."

Ligday remembers how much Christmas meant as a child -- waking up on Christmas morning with toys under the tree was the greatest feeling.

"Knowing that children will have a better, happier Christmas makes me happy," Ligday said. "It makes me think that if I can help change one child's day, all the hard work and dedication I put into this will be worth it."

More than 250 toys have been collected for the Angel Tree Program. NMTI Petty Officer 2nd Class Asmara Andom has led the effort to meet the wishes from Great Lakes area children.

"I truly enjoy making others happy," she said. "I just feel immense joy and happiness knowing that I can help bring a smile to these kids' faces on Christmas morning."

Asmara's goal is to connect service members with underprivileged children, by way of giving them gifts they would have wanted or needed to make them happy during this holiday season.

"To usher in the understanding that there are families that are struggling everywhere and we can do more for them," she said, "to help Sailors understand that helping those less fortunate than yourself makes them happy, and it makes you feel great as well."

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