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Toy drive benefits 838th families
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
AUSTINTOWN
Christmas came early for soldiers of the Army National Guard 838th Military Police Company.
Every year, the USO and Operation Homefront, along with Dollar Tree Stores, donate gifts for the soldiers with families. This year, they got more than that, though.
The staff at American Family Insurance – Monica Hoskins Agency of Boardman decided to organize a toy drive for the families of the 838th company.
“American Family Insurance is all about protecting dreams, and we thought, ‘Who else protects dreams,’ and obviously, that’s our military,” said Bethanie Meredith of the Monica Hoskins Agency.
They reached out to other American Family Insurance agents, local businesses and individuals for the toy drive.
The community responded generously, Meredith said.
Businesses and individuals who donated were showcased on the insurance company’s Facebook page.
“So many people wanted to help, which let us know we were on the right track – we were doing the right thing,” said Monica Hoskins.
They collected more than 100 toys.
They were presented with an appreciation plaque Sunday when they delivered the toys to the unit.
“This is the first year that we’ve had an outside group approach us and be able to donate a substantial amount of gifts for our children and families,” said Kelly Hoon, treasurer of the Family Readiness Group. Her husband, Darryll “JR” Hoon, is a soldier in the unit.
FRG is an organization of family members, volunteers, and soldiers belonging to a unit that provides support and a network of communication. It also offers events such as holiday parties.
“Some of these gifts are huge,” Hoon said. “Some of these gifts are things that soldiers would never be able to imagine buying for their children. So it’s going to be a nice treat for some soldiers that are able to make a little more money at their regular job, but for some soldiers this is going to make their children’s holiday season.”
About 150 soldiers in the unit have children.
“So this is touching a lot of soldiers’ lives,” Hoon said.
Eric Westfall, a specialist in the unit, has two children – a 6-month-old son and a 4-year-old stepdaughter. He said the gifts will help the family.
“I’m just glad they’re going to have a great Christmas,” he said.
He chose a set of books featuring characters from the animated movie “Frozen” for his daughter.
“My daughter loves ‘Frozen,’” he said.
Cpl. Chris Schwan is the father of a 4-year-old girl. He chose a toy from the television show “Sofia the First” for her.
He said it’s nice to have the community assist them around the holidays.
“It helps us just knowing that the community supports us,” he added. “It’s nice to be told that.”