U.S. Marines deliver holiday gifts to the Arunodhaya Centre for street and working children
The Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children, a Chennai-based child welfare organization, will be gifted with toys through the U.S.
Marines Toys for Tots program, an initiative aimed at brightening the lives of children in need during the holiday season. U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin joined the U.S. Marines to deliver new toys, school supplies, sports equipment, clothes, and books in Tamil for approximately 50 children.
U.S. Consul General in Chennai Judith Ravin lauded the U.S. Marines’ efforts and thanked Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children Founder and child rights activist Dr. Virgil D. Sami for her commitment to the shared vision for a just society in which every child enjoys a childhood assured of his or her rights with dignity and happiness. Arunodhaya is a Chennai-based NGO working towards elimination of child labor in all forms; protection of child workers and street children who have been victims of abuse; and strengthening and support of their families.
One U.S. Marine stated, “The holiday season is an apt time to contribute to the community we live in. My fellow Marines and I are so happy to have the opportunity to spread the joy of the Toys for Tots tradition in Chennai.”
The 2022 holiday season marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, a global initiative intended to spread a message of hope and caring at Christmas.