Youngstown Toys for Tots helps fill Santa's bag Published Dec. 7, 2016 By Senior Airman Joshua Kincaid 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- It's the first weekend of December and the holidays are approaching us faster than we know. Santa is hustling, but he has countless helpers by his side to spread Christmas cheer. His helpers stand out in the cold, dressed in their winter work uniforms to help Santa supply the children with toys. These selfless, cheerful helpers aren't elves. They are none other than your Air Force Reservists, and they are here to supply needy children with gifts through the Toys for Tots campaign. Members of the 910th Airlift Wing spent Dec. 2–4 collecting donations for the station's Toys for Tots campaign at the entrance gates here. "Toys for Tots is a good cause," said Staff Sgt. Justin Ross, a firefighter assigned to the 910th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department. "There are a lot of kids and families around that can't afford gifts. We're helping to alleviate stress from those families and to help them have a great Christmas." The Toys for Tots campaign here is just one of more than 700 communities across our nation that provide new toys to less fortunate children during the holiday season. "In 1984, we began our involvement with Toys for Tots," said Senior Master Sgt. Gary Henderson, 910th Airlift Wing Toys for Tots committee chairperson and operations manager for the 910th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Our part is to help the Marines here with their Toys for Tots drive. We have been involved in the drive even before the Marine building was built here." Henderson said Toys for Tots is a campaign started by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1947 with the goal of giving less fortunate children new toys for Christmas, sending a message of hope to them. The 2015 campaign across the nation raised nearly $270 million in support and more than $280 million the year before that. "People understand that it's simply a matter of collecting money and gifts for kids who may not have a Christmas at all," said Chief Master Sgt. Bob Potts, 910th Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant. "I love coming out here and seeing everyone come in smiling and happy to be here. Toys for Tots campaign brings out people's generosity." Henderson said the 910th Toys for Tots committee members are accepting monetary donations and new unwrapped toy donations are being collected in boxes placed around the air station through Dec. 9. He added that the Marine Corps Reservists based at YARS will accept donations through Dec. 21, 2016. Individuals interested in donating to the local campaign can call the Marine Corps Reserve center at 330-609-1910 to find out how. For more information on Toys for Tots, please visit their website: www.toysfortots.org