As the holiday season approaches, the halls of Lakeside High School are buzzing with a spirit of generosity, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the JROTC program. For years, these motivated cadets have been working tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of children in our community through their annual toy drive.
This year’s initiative, spearheaded by SMSgt Clifton Williams and coordinated by enthusiastic students like 11th grader Maria Velzquez, promises to be another resounding success, embodying the JROTC’s core Values of leadership and survival.
SMSgt Williams, who has been a guiding force at Lakeside since 2018, highlights the unique and impactful nature of the JROTC toy drive. “I have been a part of many toy drives, and I would rate our toy drive at the top because of the interaction with the recipients,” he states. This personal touch is at the heart of the operation, which was initiated to address a clear need in the local area. “Because we saw a need in the local area for kids to get toys for Christmas with a personal touch,” he explains, underscoring the drive’s purpose to provide not just gifts, but also a tangible connection between the community and its future leaders.
The toy drive serves as a powerful platform for JROTC cadets to hone their leadership and service skills, crucial aspects of the program’s mission. “Our students are required to complete 12 hours of community service each semester,” says SMSgt Williams. “This toy drive is a great opportunity for the cadets to use their leadership skills to plan and execute the drive from beginning to end. They organize the collection, sorting, and distribution of the toys.” Maria Velazquez, a third-year participant in the JROTC program, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the drive is organized by JROTC with strong support from their leaders and instructors.
Within the JROTC structure, various roles are available for cadets to contribute. “We have public affairs cadets who create posters and social media to encourage cadets to donate,” SMSgt Williams elaborates. “We have logistic cadets who collect, organize, and distribute the toys. Additionally, we have leadership teams that oversee the operations of the toy drive.” Cadets like Maria also play a vital role by “Advertising the event, donating toys, preparing them for distribution, and supporting the giveaway event.”
The impact of these donations is significant. “The toys fill an immediate need, but the interaction between the community and the cadets lasts for a longer time,” SMSgt Williams notes. Maria adds that the donations will “help bring joy to children in our community, support families during the holiday season, and create a positive, uplifting environment.” This event fosters unity, bringing together students, families, and community members for a shared, meaningful cause.
Organizing such an event isn’t without its challenges. “One of our challenges is collecting enough toys to distribute to those in need,” SMSgt Williams admits, a sentiment shared by Maria, who also points to keeping everything organized and ensuring all cadets complete their community service hours as hurdles. However, the rewards far outweigh these difficulties.
“Seeing the smile on the faces of both the cadets and the recipients,” SMSgt Williams shares, is the most rewarding aspect. For Maraia, it’s “Knowing we made a positive impact on families and seeing how our unit can come together to help others.” The specific goal of the toy drive, according to SMSgt Williams, is to “Show the children that good people do exist, and also show the cadets that helping those less fortunate can give you a feeling that you are making a difference in this world.” Maria elaborates on this, stating that the goal is to “collect as many toys as possible to help families in our community who are in need, and to bring joy to children during the holiday season.”
The JROTC is accepting new or gently used toys, with a request to avoid items that are broken, damaged, or unsafe. The cadets will distribute the toys directly to the recipient families or a designated charity partner, ensuring a personal and direct connection. This initiative truly embodies the spirit og giving, reminding everyone that holidays are a time when every child deserves joy, and that the act of giving can bring immense fulfillment to both the giver and the receiver.