Thanks to a total team effort by employees on the Lakehurst side of Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, more than 700 toys were collected for the annual Toys for Tots drive.  

The 5-ton flatbed truck that arrived empty at the Lakehurst Navy Exchange on Dec. 12 returned to the United States Marine Corps in Red Bank, New Jersey filled to the brim, along with a van loaded with toys that will go to local children.  

Over the past eight years, the Lakehurst side of base has donated more than 4,000 toys, bikes and scooters that have gone to children in need throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Before the pandemic, the biggest donation came in 2019 when 902 toys were collected.  

Scott McChesney, a Marine veteran and one of the representatives from Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst (NAWCAD LKE) for the annual drive, said the effort has grown considerably since they set up the first donation box. That year he met a Navy Petty Officer who told him she had received presents from Toys for Tots as a child. She said the Marines personally brought the gifts to her home in their dress blue uniforms, leaving her mother crying tears of happiness. That memory left a lasting impression on “why we do this,” McChesney said.  

McChesney and fellow NAWCAD LKE representative Amanda Tanzini said this year’s drive was one of the best they’ve seen since leading the project for NAWCAD LKE.  

McChesney said the success is even more meaningful as the event is a unique chance to bring the Lakehurst community together to help less fortunate children. 

Along with the bags filled to capacity with games and toys for area children, the truck was also loaded with 42 bikes and 29 helmets, donated by NAWCAD LKE’s Prototype, Manufacturing and Test Department.  

“It’s really incredible and amazing to be able to provide something, even if it’s only a little for kids who may not get anything for Christmas,” Tanzini said.  

The Marines and volunteers got an extra helping hand loading up the trucks from Capt. Frank T. Ingargiola, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Lakehurst, who happened to be going to the Navy Exchange at the time.  

“Supporting Toys for Tots is really important. As a former Marine, I think it’s one of those things that makes us stand out a little bit differently. For the base to be able to support the local community and the children during the holiday season is always important,” Ingargiola said.  

The Navy Exchange at Lakehurst also plays a big role in the base’s overall collection effort, along with boxes spread throughout the Lakehurst side of base. Lauren Blair, the supervisor for the store, said their efforts have included Santa’s workshop, pictures with Santa and the ability to buy toys and donate them directly to the effort. While the Covid-19 pandemic limited the ability to hold similar events, Blair said she was excited to see the number of donations continue to rise.  

“I was just more attuned to the donation part of it and trying to make every kid get a Christmas present. It’s nice to wake up to something in the morning,” Blair said. “I just kind of felt like we needed to make sure that was going to happen. Hopefully, every year going forward, it will get better and better.”  

According to the organization’s website, Toys for Tots started in 1947 thanks to Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and his wife, Diane. Seventy-five years later, the program distributes an average of 18 million toys to nearly seven million children annually.  

Donations can still be made at the Navy Exchange, and McChesney said they are always looking for volunteers to help make the drive an even bigger success next year.