Santa's Elves Would Be Proud! Charlestown Residents Contribute to 2012 Toys for Tots Campaign

CATONSVILLE, MD---For resident members of the Charlestown Woodshop Group, the affiliation with Toys for Tots is a true labor of love.
Their tradition continued in 2012 as fourteen residents of the Catonsville-based Erickson Living retirement community constructed and decorated sixty-three toys for donation to the Baltimore-area Toys for Tots program.
Even Santa's elves would be proud.  This year, the group logged more than 275 hours in the woodshop of Charlestown on the hand-made gifts, ranging from pull-toys to trucks and planes to puzzles.
On December 6th, the residents displayed the toys for visitors and fellow residents of Charlestown to see prior to donation.  Two active-duty service men of the United States Marine Corps, SSgt. Steve Foster and LCpl. Thacious Freeman, collected the gifts.
Jimmy Mullis coordinates the Toys for Tots project for the Charlestown woodshop.  "It's truly an honor to work with the Marines as Toys for Tots is a terrific organization," stated Mr. Mullis.  "Because of their dynamic effort, less fortunate children have a merrier Christmas in the Baltimore area, and we are so happy to share our love for woodwork for such a great cause."
Created in 1947, the mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  For more information, please visit www.toysfortots.org.
To view an interview with Mr. Mullis and see the toys, please visit: http://youtu.be/1_ErdAZo_Dg.

PHOTO CAPTION:  Resident members of the Woodshop Group at Charlestown retirement community constructed and decorated sixty-three toys for the Baltimore-area Toys for Tots program.  The hand-made gifts were collected by the Marines on December 6th.  From left to right are Charles Murphy, Jimmy Mullis, SSgt Steve Foster (USMC), John Chasse, Bob Dunker, LCpl Thacious Freeman (USMC) and Roger Mackubin.
About Charlestown: Charlestown, managed and developed by Erickson Living, is a retirement community that provides worry-free living for America's seniors-the country's fastest growing population segment.  Erickson Living's financial value and predictable monthly service fees provide residents across the country financial peace of mind.  Comprehensive health and wellness services, integrated into our continuum of care, lead to demonstrated resident benefits.  A robust complement of resident programs and facilities promote an engaged, fulfilling lifestyle that is reflected in resident satisfaction levels that exceed the industry average.  For more information, please visit www.ericksonliving.com.

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