MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps Systems Command Motorcycle Program will sponsor a Marine Corps Birthday Ride and Toys for Tots Toy Drive beginning at 10 a.m. Nov. 9 on the parade deck in front of MCSC Building 2200 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
“For many Marines, the start of the holiday season begins with the Marine Corps’ Birthday,” said Brig. Gen. A.J. Pasagian, MCSC commander, who will kick off the event. “Although this year we’ll celebrate differently, it is still important we take time to honor our Corps with our entire Marine Corps family.”
The event will also be an opportunity to participate in this year’s Toys for Tots Drive, sponsored annually by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Toys must be new and unwrapped, and can be dropped off in front of the flag pole at Building 2200 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Nov. 9. Volunteers will be available to receive the donations.
Gunnery Sgt. Paul Echeverria, the uniformed readiness coordinator for this year’s MCSC Toys for Tots Drive, said last year’s Toys for Tots Drive saw the command donate more than 200 toys to underprivileged children in Fairfax County and surrounding areas. This year’s donations are particularly important considering the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on families.
“It’s always important to support families who may not be able to afford a gift this holiday season,” said Echeverria. “This year’s Toys for Tots Drive is an opportunity to provide a toy and some cheer to these children and their families.”
For more information about MCSC’s Toys for Tots Drive, please contact Gunnery Sgt. Paul Echeverria at paul.echeverria@usmc.mil. For a list of nearby Toys for Tots donation centers, please visit https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys.aspx.