RICHARDSON, T.X.-Four ILTexas schools came together to participate in a Toys for Tots drive to donate toys to those in need for the winter holiday season. In addition to headquarter staff, students from ILTexas Lancaster K-8 and JROTC high school students from ILTexas Arlington-Grand Prairie, Garland, and Keller-Saginaw campuses donated over 2000 toys and raised over $4,000 in cash for the drive.

^{ILTexas Lancaster K-8 students at their Toys for Tots drive}

The effort began in mid-November and was led by Retired 1st Sgt. Kadnaha Cully, the director of student recruitment at ILTexas, along with other fellow marines.

“This was an ‘others before self’ project,” she said, reiterating the ILTexas mission statement. 

^{ILTexas Chief of Staff Aaron Thorson and Chief Administrative Officer Jerry McCreight at ILTexas headquarters with Toys for Tots donations.}

Additionally, the Toys for Tots organization donated 1200 toys to ILTexas, each individually wrapped by school staff. The toys were distributed to students at East Fort Worth K-8 Friday afternoon before the winter holiday break which begins next week. 

 ^{ILTexas East Fort Worth K-8 students with their gifts from Toys for Tots}

Officially known as the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, the nonprofit  was established in 1991 by the U.S. Marine Corps with a mission to “collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas,” as stated on their website.

For more information on Toys for Tots and how you can donate toys for the holiday season, visit their website at toysfortots.org.