MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Most children will do the expected during the holiday season; ask and receive.
It takes a unique kind of person to do something completely different, consider the less fortunate and assist them.
One of those children is 14-year-old, Connor Mulloy. Mulloy spent the year collecting and organizing recyclable cans and bottles to raise money for the Toys for Tots Foundation.
“I saw some Marines at a house and thought, ‘I want to do something for them and for the Toys for Tots,’” said Mulloy, who lives in Honolulu. “I started collecting on my own about a year ago and it spread throughout my neighborhood and housing area. Soon enough, people were donating from the U.S.S. Columbia.”
Mulloy collected $1,315.65 over a year of recycling cans and bottles.
“I really like helping people and if I did anything differently, I would have spread it out more and tried to collect more money for the Toys for Tots program,” Mulloy said.
With such a considerable donation, Toys for Tots representative, Staff Sgt. Jens Orsen is appreciative of his efforts.
“It’s great to have someone so young have so much compassion and initiative to help those less fortunate,” Orsen said. “It’s about the same amount we get from corporate sponsors, so it’s pretty impressive to receive that much from a 14-year-old. We’ll be able to buy at least a couple hundred toys with that money and I’m sure the recipients will greatly appreciate his efforts. I know we do.”
Another youth found a way of helping those who are less fortunate during the holiday season through the unselfish act of giving as well.
Tyler Luna-Luke, 11, went out of his way to ensure others would receive a gift for Christmas after donating 15 of his own birthday gifts.
“My friends decided to do it and I was inspired by them,” said the Aikahi Park native. “You understand that you are fortunate and that others aren’t and it’s good when you can help to make a better world.”
Tyler’s mother, Lorraine Luna-Luke, said she talked with other parents about the Toys for Tots foundation and decided it was a good way to benefit kids who don’t have much.
Tyler received the toys at his birthday party, held on Dec. 14, and shortly after, Tyler and his guests were on their way to the Aikahi Park Shopping Center to deliver the toys to a Toys for Tots drop off.
“I’m really proud and it made me feel good that he understood the meaning of the Christmas spirit and that he was willing to do that,” Lorraine said.
With the holiday season here, these two youth have shown true spirit and the gift of giving to those who need it most by utilizing the Toys for Tots Foundation to ensure others have an enjoyable holiday as well.
For more information on the Toys for Tots Foundation visitwww.toysfortots.org or contact (808) 257-1077 ext. 243.