OKINAWA, Japan –
Key leaders and staff from Marine Corps Installations Pacific and cadets from the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Kubasaki High School, donated toys to local families in need across Okinawa, Japan, from Dec. 12 to16.
Originally named “Toys from Cadets,” the toy drive was started in 2022 and run by Kubasaki’s JROTC. These cadets first delivered toys to children within Chatan Town. Then, in 2023 the Marine Corps expanded the program across Okinawa. Today, it is known as the “Merry Marine Toy Drive,” where all toys are collected by MCIPAC Marines and their families.
“This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and to bring joy to some extremely well deserving children, through the generosity and good will of the Marine Corps,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. William Pacatte, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. “This is also an opportunity for MCAS Futenma to say thank you to the local community, for supporting us and our presence here, as well as understanding our mission.”
This year the Merry Marine Toy Drive has partnered with multiple local organizations to help distribute toys across Okinawa.
“I think from a personal perspective, the more you learn to love the local community, and engage with the local community, the more that community becomes their own home, and you care about it more,” said Sidney Sullivan, community relations officer of G-7, Government and External Affairs, MCIPAC. “When it's the holiday season and you're feeling homesick, or you're just bored out of your mind, being able to connect with the community like this, is a great opportunity for both sides to get that connection, learn more about each other, and just have a nice, fun holiday season.”
Along with the help of Santa and key leaders on Okinawa, cadets from Kubasaki’s JROTC, brought toys to the Koza Child Guidance Center. The children each picked toys from remote controlled cars, dolls, stuffed animals, and plastic dinosaurs. At the end of the event, each child had their own toy for the holiday season.
“We wanted to share what an American Christmas was like,” said Sullivan, “because from my understanding, when Japanese children get Christmas presents, they are gifted things that they need, not so much what they want. So, they need new sweatshirts; they need new socks; they need new utensils. Typically, that's what a lot of these kids would receive with a Japanese Christmas. After doing this toy drive for the third year in a row, we are trying our best to reach out to as many local kids as possible.”
MCCS is always looking for more donations and volunteers during the holiday season, contact your local MCCS for directions on what you can do to help this program.