FEMA to Donate Toys to Help Children in Need This Holiday Season
Release Date: December 10, 2005
Release Number: 1603-213
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
 | |
 Hurricane Katrina FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells turns over donated toys to Marine Corps Sgt. Geberth. The Baton Rouge JFO Toys for Tots drive netted donations that filled 2-26 foot Penske box trucks which will be distributed to needy children throughout Louisiana. MARVIN NAUMAN/FEMA photo |
BATON ROUGE, La. -- In the year when the lives of so many children have been devastated by the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of Louisiana along with the Baton Rouge Joint Field Office (JFO) employees played an active role in giving 12 giant-sized boxes of toys to the Marine Corps for its annual Toys for Tots drive.
The toys were presented to Marine Corps Sgt. Geberth by Federal Coordinating Officer Scott Wells and FEMA Deputy Logistics Chief Richard Pierce in the main entrance of the JFO on Saturday, Dec. 10.
The toy drive began on Nov. 11, 2005 with only one box placed on the first floor of the JFO. Seventeen bikes were purchased. To date, a total of 30 bicycles/tricycles have been purchased. Because the response was so great, each program area in the JFO requested a box in their area.
Richard Pierce said the toy drive is a way to give back to the community: "I thought the toy drive would be a good opportunity for the employees to give to the community as well as a good morale booster for the whole operation."
FEMA received more than $1500 in cash donations from federal, state and local recovery workers. This donation was used to purchase more toys for the toy drive. Some donations were also made by the Small Business Administration, the Corps of Engineers, Finance and Administration and businesses such as Equity Management Resources.
Saturday marked the end of the toy drive in the JFO. However, toy donations can still be made to the Marine Corps until Dec. 15, 2005.
This toy drive was a joint effort by all of its participants as well as an opportunity to deliver a message of hope and joy to the lives of so many needy children, especially to those children who lost everything during the hurricanes. All toys will be delivered to the Marine Corps Recruiting Office at 8410 General Chennault Avenue.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Dec-2005 13:02:49