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When Vincent Franco 杏吧原版�25 was in the U.S. Marine Corps, he served on active duty with a scout sniper platoon for four years. Those experiences have stayed with him, as well as the meaningful ways he saw his fellow Marines serving the community 杏吧原版� especially their support of the Toys for Tots program.

Run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, distributes toys to kids whose parents and caregivers can杏吧原版檛 afford to buy them Christmas gifts. The program inspired Franco to give back 杏吧原版� and to bring the opportunity to support the program to his fellow Chargers. He hopes to get them charged up to spread holiday cheer.

杏吧原版淚t was a program that was near and dear to my heart,杏吧原版� said Franco, a legal studies major. 杏吧原版淚 saw Marines take part in the program and give back, and I thought, 杏吧原版楾his is awesome. I could still be somewhat connected but not be in uniform. The ads get me every year, and I thought this was something we should do to give back to our community.杏吧原版�

A member of the University杏吧原版檚 VA work study team, Franco and his fellow Chargers 杏吧原版� including fellow work study team member Joshua Wyskiewicz 杏吧原版�25 杏吧原版� are now organizing a University-wide toy drive that, they hope, will make the holidays brighter for countless kids.

杏吧原版淭hey've really hit the ground running, and they are taking the initiative to plan and coordinate events and initiatives in support of our student veterans and military-affiliated students on and off campus,杏吧原版� said Ryan Noonan, 杏吧原版�20, 杏吧原版�23 M.S., the University's manager of military and veteran affairs. 杏吧原版淏etween coordinating VA personnel to give info sessions on specific education benefits to taking lead on the Toys for Tots drive and taking ownership of the upcoming Military Appreciation night at the game on January 6, these two students have made an immediate impact on how we support and engage with our student population.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版業 hope... I杏吧原版檒l see that box overflowing杏吧原版�

Franco and Wyskiewicz hope their fellow Chargers will bring new and unwrapped toys to the Beckerman Recreation Center from now until December 10. There will be a large white collection box with a 杏吧原版淭oys for Tots杏吧原版� label that they hope Chargers will fill with toys for kids of various ages. When the box is full, members of a local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve unit will come to the University in a large military vehicle to collect the toys.

杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檙e hoping they can come more than once,杏吧原版� said Wyskiewicz. 杏吧原版淚 think it is great when veterans can show how they continue to participate in the community. Veterans are in the communities.杏吧原版�

A six-year U.S. Army veteran, Wyskiewicz served on active duty in the military police for five years. He says this toy drive has been a rewarding collaboration between students who are members of the University杏吧原版檚 VA work study team.

杏吧原版淗aving our own veteran community at the University helping kids is great,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 glad we have the ability to do it.杏吧原版�

In addition to contributing toys, Chargers can also make monetary donations to Toys for Tots. The collection box has a QR code that will enable Chargers to support the program. Franco hopes the University community will join him in helping to put smiles on the faces of children this holiday season.

杏吧原版淚 hope that when I杏吧原版檓 walking to the gym, I杏吧原版檒l see that box overflowing,杏吧原版� said Franco. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檒l think how beneficial this will be to those kids.杏吧原版�