IT WAS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
In December team Darkhorse volunteers, together with the community of donors to our gift drive, helped bring Christmas cheer to more than 1500 Marines and their families.
For the second year, we also asked for single Marine gifts, and we were able to put either gift cards, socks, flannel shirts, cozy tees, shaving kits or blankets in the hands of each of them.
Mariner’s Church in Newport Beach provided the venue and lunch. Our volunteers unloaded toys and gifts, and set up “Santa’s Workshop.”
We would like to give special thanks to Cathy and George Gary, Diane and Jim Anderson, Pamela and Cecil Fraser for their generous donations which enabled us to meet our single Marine Quota of gifts. Bernie Wolfe for his super duper effort to collect toys; Doug Tennant and his Scout Troop, the Lions Heart boys, and the staff at the HOA offices for always allowing us to set out a collection box and to those of you who dropped a toy into it. For all of you who gave anonymously we thank you too!
Please enjoy a few of the photos that illustrate the appreciation and smiles you brought to our hardworking Marines!
SMALL BUT MIGHTY CESARE!
Meet Cesare, a 5 year old with a big heart! His parents have kind hearts too, and wise minds. They teach their children to share. Cesare just had a bountiful birthday, and told his mom he wanted to give most of his gifts to “Soldiers.” His mom had heard of Team Darkhorse and our city’s adopted Marines. Voila! Cesare’s donated gifts brought more smiles to the “soldiers’ “ children. (Leave it for another day to tell Cesare about the Army/Navy competition!)
DARKHORSE COMBAT VETERANS REUNITE AT THE BATTALION BIRTHDAY BALL
Team Darkhorse sponsored 9 Marine veterans and their wives to attend the Battalion’s Birthday Ball, celebrating the 243rdBirthday of the Marine Corps, held this year at Pachenga Resort. The featured speaker was to be Colonel Jason Morris, who was the Commanding Officer of the Battalion during their 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan. These Marines were thrilled to be invited and excited to reunite with some of the others whom they had not seen in years. Eight years have passed since we watched these Marines return severely injured or emotionally battered. It was great to see them laugh, clap one another on the back, enjoying life and their families and with great hope for the future. All of them were tremendously grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the Corps with their MC brothers.