Community surprises Marines with early Christmas

Community surprises Marines with early Christmas
UT San Diego
By Linda McIntosh
DEC. 24, 2013

Sgt. Vincent Laughlin, his wife and three children received gifts from community members through North County Warriors Support, an Oceanside-based nonprofit on Saturday Dec. 21. Photo by Jason Kessel

CAMP PENDLETON — Several dozen community members visited the homes of two Camp Pendleton Marines to surprise them with an early Christmas on Dec. 21. Volunteers brought gifts, holiday food and a Christmas tree to Sgt. Marcelo Rios and Sgt. Vincent Laughlin and their families.

The effort was organized by North County Warriors Support, an Oceanside-based nonprofit.

At each Marine’s house, the group set up a tree, brought in gifts and then presented a plaque of appreciation. After the families opened the gifts, volunteers told them they had some good and bad news.

“We tell them ‘the good news is, we were able to get you everything you wanted and everything you needed from your list,’” said volunteer Jason Kessel.

“Then we tell them ‘the bad news is, we weren’t able to spend all the money that was donated’ and we present them with a check for $1,500. There is usually not a dry eye in the house at that point.
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