January 5, 2017
On January 5, Steven, Tristan, Luis, Travis and Dave, of U.S. Consulate General Naples’ Marine Security Guard Detachment, visited ‘La Tenda,’ a youth community center located in the Naples district of Sanità that has operated for 15 years in support of disadvantaged children and teenagers, to distribute toys, play, and sing together in anticipation of the Italian festival of Befana.
The activity was part of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve global initiative ‘Toys for Tots,’ whose mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as holiday gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Since 1947 – when the initiative started – the U.S. Marine Corps has distributed more than 512 million toys to more than 237 million children.
The young hosts expressed their gratitude to the Marines by donating a handmade traditional Nativity scene created in the center’s art workshop. “Thank you,” they said to the group of Marines. “This day will remain in our hearts forever!”
