The Toys for Tots program is a Christmastime staple associated with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and its allied group, the Marine Corps League. Many people need to be made aware of the Marine Corps League and its commitment to community service.
The local Detachment of the Marine Corps League #388, is involved in a variety of community activities and betterment that include such things as supplying honor and color guards to various community events such as parades and other patriotic events, as well as providing honors at funerals for veterans who have given the “last full measure” of devotion through their service to this country. The Honor Guard may present the Colors, but their main purpose is to present a contingent to bear honors at ceremonies or funerals.
They also honor, recognize, and help support youth programs that promote good citizenship and build moral character, such as the Young Marines and the Boys Scouts Eagle program.
The Marine Corps League preserves and promotes the interests and traditions of the US Marine Corps. Strengthening their fraternity and their families. They serve Marines, Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen, and FMF Chaplains and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism.
Who can be a member of the Marine Corps League? Any person who is serving or has served on active duty honorably for 90 days in the Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve and who has earned no less than 90 retirement points, U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Corpsmen who have trained with and served with the Fleet Marine Force in excess of 90 days and those who have earned the Marine Corps device (clasp) worn on the service ribbon, and those who earned the Wartime Device authorized by the FMF and Navy chaplains having earned the FMF badge.
Those who are not qualified to join as Regular Members can join as Associate Members.
The local Marine Corps League Detachment is, of course, very active in the Toys for Tots program and hopes that the public will be generous in giving. They have been very active in their efforts throughout the years. Richard (Doug) Lane, who heads the local Detachment’s efforts in Toys for Tots, told Webb Weekly that in 2021, the local Detachment distributed 16,616 toys to 1,495 youngsters.
The elected officers of Williamsport Marine Corps League Detachment #388 are Commandant, Barron Zimmers; Senior Vice Commandant, Donald Miller; Junior Vice Commandant, Jacob Bertin; Adjutant, Jerry Reitz; Paymaster, Richard (Dough) Lane; Judge Advocate, Howard Wilt; Sergeant At Arms, William Mericle; Trustees, George Bitner, David Keene, and Mike Dunlap; Chaplain, John Ertel.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Detachment, contact: Williamsport Detachment #388, 507 Cemetery Street, Williamsport, PA 17701, or phone 570-323-9900.
