As they do every year, volunteers from the Marine base in Twentynine Palms celebrated Christmas by giving donated toys from the Toys for Tots program out to local families in need. Unlike in the past, however, this year’s toy giveaway took place on the grounds of a local hospital that was happy to lend a hand. Reporter David Haldane was there and filed this report…
The weather was gloomy Saturday morning. But the damp air didn’t dampen the spirts of about 1,000 families who began lining up at Hi-Desert Medical Center at 5:15 a.m. They were there to be treated, but not by a doctor. The event was the annual Toys for Tots Christmas give-away sponsored by the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms and, for the first time this year, the hospital in Joshua Tree.
“We’re really proud and honored to be part of this. We feel an obligation to the community to be partners in any way we can.”
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That’s Karen Faulis, the hospital’s CEO, who was on hand Saturday to help the Marines and dozens of volunteers give out toys. And there were some doozies too, ranging from cool-looking bicycles to stuffed animals waiting for cuddles.
Sandy Baligad, a single parent supporting five kids on minimum wage in Twentynine Palms, reflected the upbeat mood. “This is a blessing. It’s huge. It really helps my family out a lot.”
