Destiny - Pride, for its third year, undertook to bring a sense of normalcy to a number of underserved families located in Washington, DC, and in partnering with the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots (working with Gunnery Sergeant James Sirmones) and the DC Metropolitan Police (working with Officer Casey), we were able to give bags of toys to the children of approximately 850 families. By soliciting the names of families from a number of community-based organizations, Destiny - Pride brought a little joy to many children who woke up on Christmas morning to toys under their Christmas trees. The families were from diverse areas, including the homeless, substance abuse, faith-based, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific Islander communities.
Department of Human Services Director David Berns and the DC Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Director Julie Koo were present for our 2011 Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Giveaway event on Monday, December 19, 2011.