Retired Marine Gunnery Sargeant Simon Hebert has a special connection to the Corps’ Toys for Tots Program.
Growing up, his family faced financial hardships and Toys for Tots was their beacon of hope for many Christmases.
His stepfather, a Marine Reservist in Louisiana, volunteered with his local Toys for Tots chapter in the 1980s and rooted service values in his stepson. Hebert joined the Corps at the age of 19 and resumed his volunteer work with Toys for Tots after a deployment to Iraq in 2007.
“Toys for Tots became a major part of my life upon returning from Iraq in 2007, which was a major part of healing from my time deployed,” he said. “Volunteering with Toys for Tots started out as a major therapy for me and eventually became a yearly routine.”
Herbert has continued to support the program across the county for 17 years and currently volunteers his time with the Quantico Toys for Tots chapter in Virginia.
“The Toys for Tots program represents hope, generosity, teamwork and a sense of camaraderie with those that share the same ideals of taking time out of one’s busy schedule to be a part of an organization that cherishes the dreams and wishes of children, instilling and fulfilling hope and the true spirit of what Christmas is all about: Giving,” Hebert said.