Asheville Toys for Tots - Dec 13/14
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:45 pm
This was the first year we worked directly with Asheville Toys for Tots and it was a great time. The United States Marine Corps, along with Clear Channel Communications and 99.9 Kiss Country, blocked off a part of the parking lot at the Asheville Mall to receive toys and monetary donations for the children of western North Carolina. The Carolina Garrison was present on Friday for a cold night filled with toys, photographs and good times. We had a great turnout of troopers and a brief encounter with the Asheville Police Department (Toys for Tots forgot to inform the mall that we would be working with them), which resulted in the CG rocking some snazzy Asheville PD Junior Officer badges on our armor after they figured out what we were doing!
The forecast for Saturday was cold and a 100% chance of rain, which resulted in a much smaller trooper turnout! Brian Dudas (TB-26257) and myself were feeling pretty unenthusiastic about suiting up and being outside in such miserable weather, but we were determined to make something work. Fortunately for us, the Build A Bear store inside the mall is a Toys for Tots sponsor and was more than happy to have us inside their store with a Toys for Tots donation box. The manager and staff were so welcoming and thrilled to have us there. They opened up their back room for us so we had a place to change and a secure place to store our gear. We spent several hours that day completely surrounded by people who were thrilled to see a TIE Pilot and a Scout Trooper, we barely had a chance to breathe! What we thought was going to be a cold and rained out day ended up being an absolute blast, and most importantly, we were able to bring in a bunch of donations for Toys for Tots.
A special thanks to Chris Gould (TB-11110) and Brian Dudas (TB-26257) who drove several hours to attend this event; it was great having you guys there.
Troopers present on Friday:
Anthony Conte: TI-28803
Brian Kihlmire: SL-5540
Chris Gould: TB-11110
Darron Postell: TK-8236
Sharon Postell: ID-8239
Steven Mowery: DZ-6975
Sean Coughlin: TI-9014
Troopers present on Saturday:
Anthony Conte: TI-28803
Brian Dudas: TB-26257
The forecast for Saturday was cold and a 100% chance of rain, which resulted in a much smaller trooper turnout! Brian Dudas (TB-26257) and myself were feeling pretty unenthusiastic about suiting up and being outside in such miserable weather, but we were determined to make something work. Fortunately for us, the Build A Bear store inside the mall is a Toys for Tots sponsor and was more than happy to have us inside their store with a Toys for Tots donation box. The manager and staff were so welcoming and thrilled to have us there. They opened up their back room for us so we had a place to change and a secure place to store our gear. We spent several hours that day completely surrounded by people who were thrilled to see a TIE Pilot and a Scout Trooper, we barely had a chance to breathe! What we thought was going to be a cold and rained out day ended up being an absolute blast, and most importantly, we were able to bring in a bunch of donations for Toys for Tots.
A special thanks to Chris Gould (TB-11110) and Brian Dudas (TB-26257) who drove several hours to attend this event; it was great having you guys there.
Troopers present on Friday:
Anthony Conte: TI-28803
Brian Kihlmire: SL-5540
Chris Gould: TB-11110
Darron Postell: TK-8236
Sharon Postell: ID-8239
Steven Mowery: DZ-6975
Sean Coughlin: TI-9014
Troopers present on Saturday:
Anthony Conte: TI-28803
Brian Dudas: TB-26257