Marine Collecting Toys for Tots Bags Shoplifter

Marine Corps veteran stops Texas shoplifter

WTHR 13 News

December 13, 2017

PLANO, Texas (WTHR) - Marines collecting toys for children outside a north Texas Walmart did not hesitate to stop a shoplifter last weekend.

Even in his dress blues and slippery patent leather shoes, Nathan Hanson managed to chase down the suspect.

"I fell on my face when I got over there. And then I got up and I yelled at him, 'You're not getting away, I'm going to catch you!'" Hanson recalled.

In a photo snapped at the scene, Hanson had lost his hat, but got his man.

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Florida Woman Arrested for Stealing From Toys for Tots!

Polk deputies arrest 'Grinch' for stealing from 'Toys for Tots'
Eagle Lake woman filed fake apps for charity
WFTS Webteam
Dec 20, 2016

Detectives learned that Strickland attempted to use 140 fake children's names, and 28 fake adult names on fake applications to receive toys from Toys for Tots.

EAGLE LAKE, Fla. - Polk County deputies have arrested a woman who they call a "Grinch" for allegedly stealing from "Toys for Tots."

Detectives say Tammy Strickland, 38, of Eagle Lake, filed 28 fake applications to get free toys from the charity.

Sheriff Grady Judd held a news conference on Tuesday morning to release details in the case.

Strickland was arrested by undercover detectives on Monday, December 19 when she showed up to the Toys for Tots warehouse to collect the toys she applied for. Strickland has been charged with Grand Theft, 28 counts of Providing False Statement to Obtain Credit/Property, Obtain Property by Fraud, and 164 counts of Create/Use/Possess Counterfeit/Fictitious Identification.
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Dolly And Chesty Helped USO at Muldoon's

 Dolly's 8th Annual USO Benefit at Muldoon's

 Sgt. Dave Matthews Never Forgotten Memorials

 These Marines named the bear I donated "Chesty"

 Charles Rogers, Chairman USO Central Florida

 And this is Dolly

 Charles presented Dolly with a USO Challenge Coin

Toys for Tot's Marine Veterans Endure Harsh Weather

Sorry folks but not letting my blood pressure boil over this one. My husband and I do it all the time for the DAV. It doesn't matter what the temperature is or what the weather is like. We stay outside no matter if the building has cover or not. Salvation Army bell ringers are outside too.

As you'll read in this article the past store manager made a decision to let them go inside but it is something that most never expect out of a store letting us go there to ask for donations.

As for the title of this article, it is an attention grabber and nothing more. It takes away from the fact that these veterans are willing to do it no matter what the weather is like!

Veteran forced to stand outside of Medina Walmart
WKYC-TV
Wale Aliyu
November 30, 2015

Veteran stands outside of Walmart to collect toys (Photo: Facebook)

MEDINA, Ohio -- Controversy is brewing in Medina, after a local Marine veteran was forced to stand outside of a Walmart this weekend as he collected money for Toys for Tots.

It was rainy and cold, but despite the weather, the store manager said he had to stand outside.

Now, people are outraged that he wasn't allowed inside of the store.

When someone took a picture of the veteran and posted it to social media, the post went viral within hours. The post read, "He can bleed and die but not stand inside."

The controversy started as a conversation between a Walmart store manager and a couple of veterans.

The vets were collecting money for Toys for Tots and the VFW. They said they asked to go inside, but the Walmart store manager said it's against the company's solicitation policy to allow them inside.

The vets were then asked to stay outside of the store.

The temperatures were in the low 40's.
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Mom died after charity ride accident, 2 year old daughter has broken jaw

Rockledge woman dies after Toy Run motorcycle crash 
FLORIDA TODAY
Rick Neale
December 12, 2014

This family photo shows Breana Donna, her daughter, Kadence, and husband, Andy. (Photo: Provided)

Breana Donna, the 22-year-old Rockledge woman who was struck by a motorcycle during Sunday's ABATE Toy Run, has died.

 UPDATE, DEC. 12: Breana Donna, the 22-year-old Rockledge woman who was struck by a motorcycle during Sunday's ABATE of Florida Toy Run, has died, said Joshua Donna, her brother-in-law.

She had been hospitalized in critical condition at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne. Kadence Donna, the 2-year-old Rockledge girl who suffered a broken jaw when she was struck by an out-of-control motorcycle during Sunday's ABATE of Florida Toy Run, has been reunited with her family. read more here

Marines Searching for Toys for Tots Across the USA

Marines dance with seniors, celebrate Toys for Tots drive
Blue Ridge Now
By Nathaniel Axtell
Times-News Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, December 14, 2014

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. James Holbert and Staff Sgt. Wes Russell dance with two seniors during Carolina Village Retirement Community's Christmas party on Sunday.
Photo by Nathaniel Axtell/TIMES-NEWS

They were few, but they weren't too proud. For the night, at least, two local Marines were willing to put aside their reputation as rigid, disciplined warriors and cut a rug in their dress blues.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. James Holbert and Staff Sgt. Wes Russell arrived at the Carolina Village Retirement Community's annual Christmas dinner Sunday evening to pick up more than 825 gifts for the Corps' WNC Toys for Tots campaign.

Pressed into service, however, they also danced with several Carolina Village residents to the timeless dance grooves of Asheville-based covers band Dashboard Blue.

Peachy Brady, for one, didn't need to be asked twice about the chance to dance with a handsome Marine. The 89-year-old described herself as “a kid at heart. I'm old and I'll never grow up. Two glasses of wine and I'm ready to go!”

Brady and Russell tangoed to Stevie Wonder's “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and bopped to “Gimme Some Lovin'” by the Spencer Davis Group before taking a break and letting the community's activities director, Betty Hensley, cut in.
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Orlando Fastsigns giving discounts for Toys for Tots donations

Drop off your Toys for Tots donations and receive $5 off your next purchase of $25 or more! 

Contribute to your local Toys for Tots campaign by dropping off your unwrapped toy at FASTSIGNS® Orlando, FL - Central.

All donations must be received no later than 12/16/14.

Marine Helicopter helps Santa with toy lift

Marine helicopter picks up toys collected by students for children in need
William and Mary
by Erin Zagursky
December 6, 2013

Who needs Santa and his reindeer when you have a Marine helicopter and the Griffin?

A Marine CH-46E touched down at the Williamsburg Jamestown Airport on Thursday afternoon to pick up Toys-for-Tots donations collected by students in William and Mary’s Part-Time Flex MBA program. The Griffin, wearing a floppy Santa hat on one of its ears, joined the students as they loaded dozens of toys onto the aircraft to be delivered to Naval Station Norfolk, where Marines will sort and distribute them next week.

“It feels really good to provide a smile to children who maybe wouldn’t get one over Christmas,” said Erin Miller, a student in the program. “It’s nice to give back and do something for them.”

The helicopter pickup was the brainchild of Maj. Paul Minihan, a Marine reservist who is also the president of the MBA Flex Program’s student association. He and Miller, who is vice president of the association, collected the toys at William and Mary’s Peninsula Center, which is located in the Oyster Point section of Newport News. The two were looking for outreach activities to do in the fall and spring and decided on Toys for Tots because of Paul’s connection to the Marines. Miller’s husband is also a retired military member.
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Dec 6, 2013
A Marine CH-46E touched down at the Williamsburg Airport to pick up Toys-for-Tots donations collected by students in William and Mary's Flex MBA program.

Camp Pendleton Marines hit the beach dude

Camp Pendleton Marines To Collect ‘Toys For Tots’ At Surf Contest
KPBS
By Beth Ford Roth
December 5, 2013

TransWorld SURF
Camp Pendleton Marines collect gifts at the beach

Camp Pendleton Marines will be on hand for the Western Surfing Association's surf contest at San Clemente Pier this Saturday and Sunday. They won't be there to catch waves, though, but to collect Toys for Tots gifts.

WSA is encouraging participants to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the contest, where they'll later be collected by the Marines.
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Marines and Bikers Toys for Tots run in Dallas

Bikers and Marines host Toys for Tots - slide show
TOYS FOR TOTS
Examiner.com
DECEMBER 2, 2012
By Sharon Smith

Dallas area Bikers and Marines hosted a toy run in McKiney, TX at VFW Post 2150 Saturday, December 1st.

Toys for Tots is a program that U.S. Marine Corps Reserve have been executing to supply Christmas Toys for disadvantaged children for 65 years and partner with local biker groups to push their event over the top.

Texas weather cooperated with temperatures that almost hit 80 degrees with a slight cloud cover which produced the attendance to several hundred bikes and a lot of motorcycle thunder. An impressive ‘pack’ of bikers rode slightly over 47 miles before gathering at the VFW location at Church St in McKinney for hamburgers, drinks, ‘Definitely Maybe’ band (which included strings, brass and vocals).
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Post Office delivers help for Marines Toys for Tots

Postal Toys for Tots plan puts Brevard Marines at ease
Postal carriers will help Toys for Tots in collecting for countywide drive
Nov 27, 2012
Written by
R. Norman Moody
FLORIDA TODAY

MELBOURNE — A new partnership involving the U.S. Postal Service will help more children than ever. At least, that’s the hope of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, which for the first time in Brevard County will involve mail carriers picking up toys from postal customers this Saturday.

The partnership was officially announced to letter carriers Monday morning. And already a least one stepped up with four toys she bought.

“It’s for a great cause,” said Melinda Smith. “I wanted to be able to do it. I love doing it.”

Smith, who works out of the main post office in Melbourne, said the partnership will allow a lot more children from needy families to get a toy at Christmas.
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Marines need help so that no child is left behind for Christmas

When you see a new charity pop up you should really wonder what they are taking away from established charities. There is such a great need in this country for groups needing all kinds of help but the new ones get all the attention. Here's one that has been around for a very long time and right now they are worried about making sure kids have a gift for Christmas to let them know they are not forgotten about.

Marine veterans need donations to help struggling families
By Jason Laday
South Jersey Times
November 19, 2012

EAST GREENWICH TWP. — In 2011, after nine years of providing toys for families in need every Christmas, the Marine veterans of the Semper Fidelis Detachment 204 and its Toys For Tots program fell short.

Despite donations of 47,000 toys, the Marine Corps League, based in Clarksboro, was forced to let 10,000 children whose families signed up for the service go without a present on Christmas. It was the first time the veterans had to turn families way in the program’s nearly decade-long history.

Now in 2012, the program’s 10th year, the Marine Corps League is working hard to prevent that from happening again.

“Last year was the first time we had to cut it off, and it was heartbreaking,” said William Harkins, a decorated Vietnam veteran and lance corporal in the Marines. He coordinates the league’s Toys for Tots program.

“The economy had a lot to do with it, but donations this year have been slow, too,” he added. “Hurricane Sandy knocked us out for three or four days, and that many days during this time of year is a killer.”
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Accused shoplifter stabbed Marine while collecting Toys for Tots

UPDATE

Special

Marine Cpl. Phillip Duggan

Stabbed Marine released from hospital
By Kyle Martin
Staff Writer
Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 3:29 PM
Last updated 11:01 PM
Marine Cpl. Phillip Duggan is out of the hospital and made a toy donation Saturday, friends said, 24 hours after he was attacked by a suspected shoplifter outside Augusta's Best Buy.
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Stabbed Marine released from hospital


Marine stabbed by shoplifting suspect on Black Friday
by Terry Graham
Posted: 11.27.2010 at 5:24 AM

AUGUSTA, GA -- A Marine collecting donations for Toys for Tots at Best Buy in Augusta was stabbed in the back Friday afternoon while helping to catch a shoplifting suspect.

Police have identified the injured Marine as 24-year-old Cpl. Phillip Duggan.

Duggan and three other Marines were outside collecting donations for Toys for Tots.

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Marine stabbed by shoplifting suspect on Black Friday

Marine ride to provide holiday cheer

Marine ride to provide holiday cheer
Toys for Tots campaign kicks off
Updated: Sunday, 20 Sep 2009, 7:53 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 20 Sep 2009, 11:46 AM EDT

Anthony DiLorenzo
FEEDING HILLS, Mass. (WWLP) - Local bikers wound their way through the Pioneer Valley, Sunday morning with the Marine Corps League of Westfield, raising money for an important cause.

Their efforts will help needy children this holiday season as well as wounded warriors.

Hundreds of bikers are all revved up for the holiday season. Even Santa Claus himself, and bikers from throughout New England spread Christmas cheer with the kickoff of the Toys for Tots campaign with a benefit ride through the Pioneer Valley.

Around 200 bikers are not only helping the needy children but also the wounded warriors that have come back from battle with deep scars.

"Toys are coming in one at a time as a donation, and then a donation will go toward the 'Marine Helping Marine' program," explained Commandant Fran Curnow, of the Westfield River Valley Marine Corps League.

It's a program Lou Johnson champions in his fallen son's name, "participating in something like this makes me feel we're extending his example of doing for others."

Nineteen-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Phil Johnson of Enfield, CT, was killed three years ago in Iraq.

The Johnson family now makes it their mission, to help other military families with similar struggles.
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Marine ride to provide holiday cheer

Marines are indignant, fairgrounds group digs in

Marines are indignant, fairgrounds group digs in
By Dan DeWitt, Times Columnist
In print: Sunday, September 21, 2008
If you like God, country and family, Toys for Tots is the charity for you.

It's run by Marine Corps veterans, many of whom risked their lives in combat. Last Christmas — the Lord's birthday, of course — they gave away 21,000 toys to 1,100 needy families, and, with the economy sagging, will probably give away more this year.

"No child should have to go without Christmas,'' said Bob Ross, the program coordinator and a Vietnam veteran.

Who can argue with that? And why, for goodness sake, would anyone want to jerk these guys around, which is what the Hernando County Fair Association seems to be doing?

See, for several years, the Marine Corps League has stored toys and staged its giveaway at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, on U.S. 41 in Brooksville. The rent is outrageous, Ross said, and at a meeting in August, fairgrounds manager Joy Jackson told the league it would also have to pay hundreds of dollars for utilities in 2008.
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http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article819680.ece

Police: Alleged victim of Toys for Tots Marine not a child

Police: Alleged victim of Toys for Tots Marine not a child


ARVADA – Two days after reporting a Marine was accused of sexual assault on a child, police now say the actual charge is sexual assault, meaning the alleged victim was over the age of 14.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kelly Farrington, 35, of Brighton, appeared in a San Diego courtroom this morning on a felony warrant hearing. Arvada Police said they were unaware if he agreed to be extradited to Colorado to be arraigned on a single charge of sexual assault.

Farrington, who is the coordinator of Denver's Toys for Tots Drive, was arrested last Thursday in California.

Although the alleged crime happened in Arvada in 2001 or 2002, a warrant was just issued within the last month, according to Arvada Police.

Arvada Police initially told reporters on Saturday that Farrington was accused of sexual assault on a child. On Monday, a police spokeswoman issued a clarification that the charge is actually sexual assault, which means the alleged victim was over the age of 14 at the time of the incident.
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http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=92785&catid=188