2006 Press Releases
United States Marines Play Santa Claus In Zambia — Making Christmas Wishes Come True For Needy Children
LusakaDecember 25, 2006
While most people were enjoying their Christmas mornings at home, a group of U.S. Marines, based at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, were making sure that the spirit of the season was extended to local children who need it the most. Four Marines today visited two local sites, to do what they’ve done annually for the past 60 years — give toys to needy children under the “Toys for Tots” campaign.
“This is a great opportunity for us to give something back to the Zambian community,” said and Acting Detachment Commander Sergeant Richard Dollar. He added, “What could be better than making kids happy on Christmas?”
The Marines distributed toys and clothes to children at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and the Kabwata Orphange. In his remarks to the children at UTH, Sergeant Dollar reinforced the Marines’ commitment, saying: “It is our duty to help those who need it the most. I’m delighted to bring the children of UTH and Kabwata toys and clothes which have been donated from our personnel at the entire Unites States Mission here in Zambia.”
The U.S. Marine Corps has overseen the Toys For Tots campaign since 1947. Nowadays, Toys For Tots campaigns are conducted throughout the U.S., and at U.S. embassies around the globe. In their nearly sixty years of holiday service, the Marines have distributed well over 300 millions toys to nearly 200 million needy children. Many prominent Americans have been involved in Toys For Tots, including Walt Disney, who designed the campaign’s first materials.
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