Deploy the Toys

Donated Toys awaiting sorting and processing

During July many people in this area are looking into vacation rentals and considering all of the features and potential drawbacks.  Is it close to the beach?  How is the view?  Are there enough beds?  For Art Enos, Commandant of the Burlington Detachment, July marks the start of his annual search for viable warehouse space for the Toys for Tots Program.  Is it close enough to major highways?  Are there loading docks that can handle a variety of vehicles?  Is there at least 35000 square feet and satisfactory bathroom facilities for men and women?  As the Middlesex and Essex County coordinator for The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Enos’s Christmas season starts mid-summer with the need to get all of the details into place for the annual campaign.  From its start in 1947, Toys for Tots has grown to be a major undertaking that this year resulted in collecting, storing, and distributing toys totaling $2.5 Million in value to be distributed to 60,000 children within the Middlesex and Essex Counties..  In truth, that is a reduced level from prior years.  With the Reserves still facing large scale deployment, much of the legwork falls to the Marine Corps League.

A native of Brockton, Art did not start out intending to be pseudo-Santa Claus.  As a youth, he had moved to Cambridge.   In 1958, when a friend went to talk to the Marine Corps Recruiter, Art accompanied him and ultimately liked what he heard.  Sworn into the Corps on Boston Common by legendary General Alexander Vandegrift,   Enos was first assigned as a loader in a tank battalion.  Positioned in a seat in bottom of the hull of the tank with live ammunition on one side and fuel tanks on the other, he knew early on that this was not his choice for a long term assignment.  When the opportunity to transfer into Marine Corps Intelligence arose, Art was quick to take it up.  After  training in decoding and encoding Cryptic message traffic, he joined TUSLOG Detachment 28 in Turkey where accommodations were somewhat sparse but a definite step up from the belly of a tank.   Most of his duty stations were on Air Force Bases where he worked in joint services teams.

In 1964, Art Enos returned to the Cambridge area.  With a friend he got started in the ambulance business.  At that time, it was common for ambulance and funeral services to be jointly operated.  Art would continue in the business for 30 plus years, relocating to Burlington in the interim.   In the early 80’s, Art became aware of the Marine Corps League through friends.  While still actively engaged in running a business full time, he was unable to commit to joining.  He did participate as a non-member helping out with events and fund raising. He was active in Toys for Tots for 10 years before he ultimately joined the MCL., signing on immediately as a Life Member in 1984.

Having been involved in arranging drop-off points, collecting toys, and delivering to the warehouse, Art developed a good relationship with the Marine Corps I+I Staff out of Ft. Devens who ran the program.   In 2000, he took on the role of managing the civilian participants.  This led to increased involvement and exposure and appointment as co-coordinator with the Marines of Ft. Devens. Art also was working with Frank Gillen who was the Department of Ma. Marine Corps League Toys for Tots chairman.  When Frank Gillen passed away in 2010, Art took over the program.  Today, Art’s Toy for Tots area includes 88 towns and a complex network of arrangement s and logistics.

Art Enos with corporate donors

In the past, the program operated out of multiple warehouses, with volunteers delivering toys directly from pickup points to the warehouses.  By considering a number of variables, Art has found that using one, well placed warehouse is a more practical solution.  By insuring that the selected facility is strategically located near appropriate highways and transportation systems, it becomes logistically smoother for volunteers and recipient agencies to access the facility .Art also recognized the importance of the PODS containers and in strategically placing PODS in all areas close to the collection areas and personnel.   As many of the volunteers are retired and the mix of females has increased, it is important that the restroom facilities be adequate for both genders and that parking and access are satisfactory.   A minimum of 35,000 square feet is required.  Loading docks must be available that can handle a variety of vehicles.  The storage space must be close to the loading and shipping areas.  Art learned that requirement first hand after dealing with a facility in Andover that required a lengthy trip up and down corridors and stairs to get from the loading area to the storage area.

Art maintains active surveillance, beginning in July, to identify appropriate warehouse space.  Over the years, he has developed good relationships with area commercial real estate brokers who function as intermediaries between Art and building owners.  This can involve looking at as many as 50-60 buildings that need to be narrowed down to the dozen or so realistic finalists.  From there, the task is to convince the owners to donate the space.  Art is able to point out the program’s reputation for always leaving the building in better shape than when they went in.  At the end of the campaign, a team of Marines conducts a thorough field day to fully clean the building for return to the owner.  Art recalled one facility that was trash and garbage filled when he took it over.  Seeing rodents in the area, the Toys for Tots team arranged for a Bobcat loader to push everything into one pile.   Next the fire department was recruited to thoroughly wash down the facility and the pile.  In the end, the trash pile was removed, complete with garbage and rodents

The warehouse is one component of Toys for Tots. In addition to persuading landlords to donate space, Art has been instrumental in convincing a large network of contacts to donate equipment and services that sustain the program.   All of the necessary desks, tables, chairs, computers and associated equipment have been donated.  Six pallet lifters that facilitate moving toys throughout the warehouse in different stages of processing have been donated.  Art recalled making a call to a badge and ID company during one campaign.  As volunteers need badges and lanyard throughout the effort, he was able to arrange donation of those supplies.  At another company, he was able to arrange donation of 20 cases totaling 3000 large plastic bags of sufficient thickness to handle toy donations and sometimes rough handling.   Portable storage pods have since eliminated the need for donations to be brought directly to the warehouse.  Each year as many as 50 pods are donated for use during the campaign.  Half of the many boxes that are placed for donations are donated.  In his 30 years of involvement in the Toys for Tots Program, Art Enos has developed a lot of contacts and he is not reluctant to reach out to others for services and monetary donations.

In the warehouse, the major portion of sorting and packing is performed by volunteers from the Gillette Retirees Association.  This came about in a conversation between Art and a neighbor about the retirees’ need for service projects that would have flexible working hours.  This connection has grown over the years and now includes over 100 retirees who volunteer throughout the months of November, December and January.  Out in the field, Art relies on 34 Zone Managers to coordinate the activity in defined areas.  Zone Managers are both civilians and Marine Corps League members who handle communications and scheduling for designated areas.  The State Police and local Police and Fire Departments are examples of other organizations that are active.  Art is constantly on the lookout for new zone managers.  The core labor is the Marines and others who arrange donation points and collect the toys.  This effort is conducted in a tight timeframe because reality dictates that toys needs to be received, sorted, and processed prior to December 20 or put into storage for next year.

Agencies that are receiving toys often know by August what they will need.  In larger areas, like Lowell and Lawrence, there are established agencies that have been connected with Toys for Tots for a long time.  The MA Department of Children and Families calls for 40,000 toys alone.  In addition to the agency needs, individuals can request toys on-line between October 1 and November 15.   All requests are tracked on spreadsheets that outline the age, gender, and quantity of toys that are desired for a given agency.  The sorting and packing is set up to allow volunteers to pick toys quickly and assemble them into the appropriate packing point for distribution.  Volunteers handle, sort and pack approximately 5000 toys in a 6/8 hour work schedule.  Care is taken to be sure that distribution is evenly distributed in the same amounts from agencies to the families in need.  The system has evolved to be a very smooth operation that works well.  In a move toward continuous improvement, Art is working to consolidate the agency inputs to reduce administration and increase efficiency.

Art Enos receiving commendation from the Town of Burlington

On Christmas morning in a large portion of Massachusetts, there are a few moments of surprise and joy as children wake up and receive gifts that come from Toys for Tots.  From the generous action of donors and merchants who agree to host donation points, to the contribution of the volunteers who collect the toys that fill the pods, to the organization and effort of the warehouse volunteers, the success of the Toys for Tots is an example of what a committed leader and few Marines can accomplish. At a recent Massachusetts State MCL Department meeting, Art Enos expressed his thanks and pride at what the Marine Corps League accomplished this year.  We share your pride, Art and appreciate your leadership.

Keeping it Local 

Blackstone Valley Marines Volunteers

The Blackstone Valley is an area in South Central Massachusetts that is historically known for the textile mills that were started on the waterway that passes through the area.  Today that history is observed in the Blackstone Valley National Corridor, established by Congress on November 10, 1986.  The region is well known for recreational activities like hiking and bicycling as well as for the scenic towns that are found there.

Another trait of the Blackstone Valley is a close knit feeling and a desire to take care of their own.    In 1995, Bryce Williams an area resident and Korean War Era veteran of the Marine Corps took the steps to organize a Marine Corps League Detachment in the Blackstone Valley.  With an initial cadre of eighteen members, Williams pursued and obtained a charter and the detachment was officially launched on July 28, 1995.  Regrettably, Bryce Williams, the founder and first Commandant passed away less than a month later.  His spirit is still present in Detachment 911 as they continue the outreach that       often defines the Marine Corps League.

With an eye toward focusing their efforts to benefit the eleven towns in the local area, Detachment 911 has maintained the effort to insure that children will have toys on Christmas that has been a hallmark of the Marine Corps Reserve and the Marine Corps League.  Operating under the name “Toys for Kids and Teens”, Detachment 911 has tailored their program to address local need specifically.  Detachment Adjutant William Audette , a veteran of Marine Corps who served as a radio operator in 1^st Radio Bn, including operations in Viet Nam in 1969 and 1970, described the program as essentially identical to Toys

for Tots, but operating on a smaller scale and locally focused.

Toys donated to the Toys for Children and Teens Program

The most recent campaign was conducted with 26 volunteers, representing veterans from all services and civilians.  With space donated by a local self-storage company in Uxbridge, volunteers place donation boxes at local facilities. In addition, they coordinate activities that raise donations of funds, toys and gift certificates.  Local high school students participate in shopping parties.   Volunteers bring donated toys and materials directly to the storage facility where they are staged for distribution.

An inactive American Legion building is currently used as the distribution center.  Volunteers deliver and sort the toys into various categories of age and gender.    Families who are in need of toys are able to come to the distribution center to receive donated toys.  While there are no forms required, after providing proof of local residency, recipients are accompanied by a volunteer to review and pick out suitable toys.  In addition, the program coordinates with local churches and civic groups to assist in identifying families that may need donations of toys or gift certificates.  Volunteers are able to interact with recipients to help get the most appropriate donation for the age and gender of the child.  They are able to pay special attention to the teenage recipients where it can be more complicated to get the right thing.

Following the same basic process as the larger Toys for Tots Program, the Blackstone Valley Detachment 911 Toys for Kids and Teens Program is able to address the Christmas needs of local residents with reduced administration and paperwork.  This year, 6000 new toys were collected and 5500 were distributed.  With donated storage space, the remainder will be held for distribution next year.

Bill Audette has been a member of Detachment 911 for the past 6 years, having been introduced to it by his brother in law Dan Foley who was a charter member.   As a member of the detachment leadership team, he is instrumental in continuing the vision of Bryce Williams who did not have much opportunity to participate in the detachment that he founded.  Audette and his fellow Marines are actively working to maintain strong outreach and keeping it local.

Massachusetts Marine Corps League Marines of the Year

Each year, Marine Corps League Detachments select a member to be Marine of the Year.  In this space, we will recognize those Marines who have been chosen by their peers as having gone the extra mile in exemplifying the ideals of the Marine Corps.

Outgoing 1st Lt. Brian McPhillips Metro South Detachment #1115 Marine of The Year Jack Hines

1^st Lt. Brian McPhillips Metro South Detachment #1115   Junior Vice Commandant Jack Hines has recently completed a year since being named Marine of the Year.  Jack is a native of the area who wanted to be in the Marine Corps since about the age of 5.  Having grown up in the post- World War II days, he recalls that veterans in were highly respected, in particular the Marines.  When he had opportunity to join the Corps, Jack enlisted and arrived in Parris Island in 1966.

After boot camp, he was trained as an artilleryman.  At his first duty station with the 11^th Marines in Viet Name, he was assigned to the 4.2 inch mortars platoon.   Assigned to Hill 55, about 15 miles south of Da Nang, Hines had access to reasonable living quarters and a good mess hall.  As the 11^th Marines provided artillery support to the 1^st Marine Division in the region, he also worked on a rotation schedule that involved forward deployments for two week periods with two mortars at a time.  The 4.2 inch mortar is a well-established work horse weapon for the Marine Corps but it is not a lightweight.   Hauling mortar plates and ammunition is not an easy task.   Nonetheless, Jack was able to get through his tour relatively unscathed and returned stateside.

Back in the states, Hines   was assigned to a NATO duty station in Norfolk, VA.  With a large presence of high ranking officers and VIP’s, the uniform of the day was dress blues with medals.  After a tour in Viet Nam, many have taken this as a plush assignment that should be held dearly.  In the interim, Jack’s brother had joined the Army and was facing deployment to Viet Nam.  In 1969, in order to keep his brother from having to go, Jack volunteered to return to Viet Nam, knowing that only one brother would be sent.  After a brief stop in Okinawa, he was assigned to 12^th Marines, the deployed in the area around Con Thien.  With extensive views of the surrounding area, Con Thien was strategically well suited for artillery and mortars.    Following Con Thien, Jack returned to Okinawa for 4 months prior to returning to the states for release from active duty.

Coming back to Mansfield, Jack took up auto mechanics as a career, having studied that in high school.  For 45 years, he worked in a number of General Motors dealerships prior to his retirement.  In his civilian life, he was active in the DAV and the VFW.  About 3 years ago, be became aware of the Marine Corps League and was enthused by the opportunity to be part of an organization that was comprised of all Marines and Corpsmen.  In a short time, he became involved as the paymaster.  He was active in the color guard and has been part of numerous committees as time has allowed.

Jack Hines has been a prolific fund raiser as a Marine Corps League member.   Coordinating the efforts of detachment members to staff the Rose Campaign, he has worked to build relationships at local stores where he knows the success rate is high.  Maintaining a steady presence through the weekend, Jack and his colleagues have raised $5,000 at 3 stores.  He recalled one year when the roses were not available through the Marine Corps League and credits Warren Griffin with coming up with a quick solution.

Jack Hines (right) helping at detachment golf tournament.

Hines was especially successful in his tenure as Junior Vice Commandant.  In a role that focuses on increasing membership, his approach was to “go where the Marines are.”  Jack would go back to the DAV and VFW posts to contact Marines who are members there.  He made a point of talking to other Junior Vice Commandants to find out what was working for them.  Jack would read the Marine Corps League magazine, “Semper Fi”, to get pointers and contacts.  He recalls that current Massachusetts State Commandant Warren Griffin and Mike Chouinard, another state leader were helpful contacts.   At one point he called the National Junior Vice Commandant to ask advice.   Jack’s commitment and persistence resulted in noteworthy increase in membership for the detachment.   In addition to his personal efforts, Jack attributes the overall visible presence of the detachment as a key recruiting tool.  When the public sees squared away Marines in uniform at parades, wakes and other events, they will be more amenable to joining.   As frequently as time allows, Jack attends these events, working to increase visibility and recruiting by example.

Jack is also active in the Military Order of Devil Dogs, a Marine Corps League activity.  As the Quartermaster, he maintains and sells an inventory of pins and merchandise to assist in fundraising.  Meeting monthly, the Devil Dogs have been strong fundraisers, with approximately $35,000 being raised.  A portion of this is small fines that are paid by members for transgressions against the fun and honor activities of the organization.

While his stint as Marine of the Year is completed, Jack Hines has not stopped contributing. He has been instrumental in establishing a scholarship for youth in Easton with family ties to the Marine Corps.  The committee recently screened eleven candidates to identify this year’s recipient.   This is the second year that the scholarship has been awarded. As Jack Hines sees it, the scholarship continues on as a testimony that the 1^st Lieutenant Brian McPhillips Metro South Detachment #1115 is more than a bunch of guys that rent the VFW hall.   The effort and commitment that Jack Hines has shown warrants the award of Marine of the Year and is the example that the Marine Corps League hopes to demonstrate.  We are pleased to join Detachment Commandant Rik Coffman and the Marines of 1^st Lieutenant Brian McPhillips Metro South Detachment #1115 in saluting Jack Hines.