LOCAL PILOTS AIRLIFT TOYS FOR TOTS

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version Share this

 

December 15, 2009 (San Diego's East County)-- In  East County's mountains, Santa got some help to airlift in toys just in time for Christmas.

 

The U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has been collecting toys for needy children in the community. Members of The Ninety-Nines, a women's flying organization (1st President Amelia Earhart), packed their airplanes full of toys at Montgomery Field & Gillespie Field on December 5th, then flew into the Ramona airport to deliver the Toys for Tots.

 

Bo Donovan, airport manager, observed, "One of the Marines, John,  told me we collected more toys than any other event, except the Charger's game day drive."

The "Ninety-Nines" are licensed women pilots who have come together for the mutual support and the advancement of women in aviation. Formed in 1929 and named after the original "99" charter members, the "Ninety-Nines" are now 6,000+ from 35 countries. Virtually all women pilots of achievement have been 99s, such as: charter members Amelia Earhart, air racer Louise Thaden, and San Diego's own "Women's Air Force Service Pilot" Betty Gillies. For more details visit our website: http://www.sandiego99s.org
 

A second airlift was slated for the Fallbrook Airpark on Saturday, December 12th. Toys are still needed for toddlers and children.

 

Next up, Toys For Tots will hold a "sushi night" at Kenrix Sushi in Ramona on Wednesday, December 16th. Toys may be dropped off at Ramona Airport or directly to the Marine Corps Reserve Station, just off Palomar Road, East of I-15.

 

For more information, visit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation website:
http://san-diego-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/ea....
 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.