MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Santa is not the only one receiving help this year.

The Marines with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, received more than 1,500 toys from the Sergeants Major Association of San Diego County during their 33rd annual Christmas dinner and Toys for Tots party at the South Mesa Club, Saturday.

“This event between Marines and retired Marines is great,” said Sgt. Maj. Robert Hightower, the Instructor – Instructor sergeant major, 4th LAR. “It gives all of us the chance to give back to the community.”

Hightower said this was a chance to make a little girl’s Christmas and a chance to meet those who served before him.

Along with Hightower, retired Sgt. Maj. Walter “Val” Valentine the president of the Sergeants Major Association, agreed this was a chance to stay active in the community while working with the current generation of Marines.

“It warms our hearts to know a child’s Christmas will be better because of the hard work of others,” Val said. “Not only is it great to work with the Marines in providing Toys for Tots, but it was unexpected for the donation made by the Eagle Young Marines.”

Val said the donation made by the EYM helped the association gather more than 500 toys than last year event. The toys donated by the EYM will help in providing toys for children in the local community.

“The Eagle Young Marines and volunteers worked hard to encourage local communities to bring toys to those who are less fortunate,” said Patti Siegmann, executive officer, EYM. “It felt good to show the work of the kids to the Sergeant Major Association.”

Eagle Young Marines Pvt. Jericho Clark was excited to carry in the boxes of toys to Val during the party.

“It felt really good to hand them all those toys,” Clark said. “We wanted to help needy children who may not have a nice Christmas this year.”

Toys donated to Toys for Tots will be sorted and distributed to children who may not receive a Christmas gift this year.

“These toys are going to bring smiles to kid’s faces on Christmas day.” Val said. “(The Sergeants Major Association) have been supporting Toys for Toys for more than 27 years and we plan to keep supporting this organization.”

Toys for Tots is an organization run the Marine Corps Reserve. Every December, reserve Marines in their dress blues uniforms stand outside local businesses with a donation box for unwrapped toys. Marines who stand next to the boxes are volunteers who spend their time bringing holiday cheer to needy children. 

“Christmas is not complete unless you see a Marine fully dressed in their dress blue uniforms while collecting toys for children who are less fortunate,” Hightower said.