Soldiers make 'run' to spread holiday cheer; donate to Marines' Toys for Tots

Photo by Julia LeDeoux
1st Lt. J.B. Branson of the 911th Technical Rescue Company headquartered at Fort Belvoir, right and his son, Robert, were among the members of the Beltway Jeepers Club that made a toy run Nov. 22 that benefitted the Quantico Toys for Tots campaign.

When you get Soldiers and Marines together, good-natured inter-service "trash talking" can sometimes be heard.

But that wasn't the case Saturday when a group of Soldiers with the 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company at Fort Belvoir delivered dozens of new toys to the Quantico Marine Corps Base Toys for Tots campaign.

The Soldiers, who are also members of the Beltway Jeepers club, made their first "toy run" a trip to the base to donate toys for the Marines to distribute to needy children throughout Northern Virginia this holiday season.

"The Soldiers of the 911th do a lot of volunteer work all over," said ride organizer 1st Sgt. Alex Robles. "They wanted to come out and support Toys for Tots."

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

"It's a community of military and civilians working together," Robles added.

Among the Soldiers who participated in the run were Specialists Joshua Hibbs, Nathan Heit, and Jerrod Smith, and 1st Lt. J.B. Branson, who brought his son Robert along.

"This right here is a good opportunity to bring my son out and teach him about charity work," said the elder Branson.

Wilma Vaughn, Quantico's community relations officer, gave the club members a tour of the warehouse on Route 1 in Stafford
County.

"I cannot thank you guys enough for being here," she began. "For me, this sends such a great message that Soldiers are helping the Marines."

Throughout the warehouse, donated toys are separated by gender and age. Seeing the stuffed animals, dolls, bicycles, coloring books and crayons, trucks, basketballs and art sets brought smiles to the Soldier's faces.

"It's amazing how many toys are here," said Robert Branson as he looked around.

A total of 10 vehicles made the ride for the Beltway Jeepers. In order to take part in the ride, which began in Sterling, participants had to donate a new, unwrapped toy. The club also held a fundraiser at Falls Church High School.

"We knew the holidays were coming up," said Robles. "We're planning on making this an annual run."

PX offers feast of Thanksgiving weekend deals and giveaways

Military shoppers looking to dig in to tasty holiday shopping better bring a big appetite to the PX the weekend after Thanksgiving as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service serves up three days of great deals, gift card giveaways and scratch off cards.

The smorgasbord begins as early as 4 a.m. as the first 100 shoppers entering the Fort Belvoir Exchange Friday through Sunday will receive gift cards. Those that aren't early risers won't miss out on the feast of savings as scratch off cards will be handed out
throughout the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. until closing. Every scratch off ticket will be a winner with prizes including complimentary items at the food court, restaurant gift cards and much more.

In addition to a buffet of giveaways, the PX will have incredible deals on clothing, electronics, jewelry and everything in between.

"Although the fourth quarter is looking very challenging for retailers, the PX is going to be ready with great assortments and prices," said General Manager Rick Mora. "Our team has been preparing these sizzling deals for nearly a half year now. We're excited about the menu of value and excitement we've put together to help make this holiday season truly special for families at Fort Belvoir Exchange."