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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
May 20, 2012 - 4:51:44 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Petty Officer 1st Class Ivan Cruz (top left), a hospital corpsman with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, stands among his paintball teammates, Dec. 13, during the 2008 Toys for Tots drive at the Sportsman's Lodge in Jacksonville, N.C. With the help of his teammates and local sponsors, Cruz was able to set up a daylong paintball event at the Sportsman's Lodge where participants played paintball for the price of a toy worth $20., Cpl. Aaron Rooks |
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Petty Officer 1st Class Ivan Cruz dipped and dodged as the rounds came down upon him from all directions. He twisted, turned, and to his enemy's dismay, returned a mass of fire in retaliation.
The hospital corpsman from 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group seemed to be an unstoppable force with a mission. His goal in this battle was somewhat different than the average sailor besieged in combat though. His desire and motivation was simply to see a few more children smile this Christmas.
The Bayamon, Puerto Rico native, who's been an avid paintball player since 2006, saw the 2008 Toys for Tots campaign as an excellent opportunity for the members of his team, Chrono301, to give back this Christmas.
With the help of his teammates and numerous local sponsors, Cruz was able to set up a daylong paintball event, Dec. 13, at the Sportsman's Lodge in Jacksonville, N.C. where participants played a day's worth of paintball for the reasonable price of a toy worth $20.
The event did not disappoint. Three minutes after the event opened to the public, the parking lot of the Sportsman's Lodge was full. Military members and residents from as far away as Fayetteville, N.C. appeared to play and support the charity. Two minutes later, the two large boxes, guarded by Marines in dress blues, were full of toys.
"It was an incredible success," Cruz proclaimed after being told that his team collected 317 toys. "We never expected to get this many toys. Now at least 317 more children will wake up happy Christmas morning."
Basil Davila, owner of the Sportsman's Lodge, gave Cruz the paintballs, the gear, the air supply and the facility for the event. It wasn't long before the speed ball field and the 22 acres of open woods were thriving with players. As part of Davila's donation, the players were able to play a day's worth of paintball normally worth $38 for the small price of one toy.
"A lot of people forget that Christmas is a time to give, not to receive," Davila said. "This was a win-win situation between the child and the person giving the toy."
Cruz explained how shocked he and his team were to have garnered such support in the short month of time he had to work with. He didn't have to explain any details to any of the sponsors as they were immediately willing to support the cause.
"We didn't know any of these people," Cruz explained. "All it took was us to ask and everyone pitched in to help. It shows that a lot more people are willing to help others, and that's what we need, for people to stand up and help."
Cruz said that if more military members found ways to donate and give back to their local communities, a real impact would occur. He spoke of the recent economy decline in the nation and the number of Americans who've lost their jobs during the past year, stating that many families would not be having a good Christmas this year.
"I was blessed with a good childhood and many good Christmas holidays," Cruz said. "Not many people are that fortunate, which is why it's important for people to do something about it. Let's truly serve our country by helping those here at home as well."
Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Dalrymple, also a hospital corpsman from 2nd Dental Battalion, stated that military members are fortunate enough to have a steady paycheck. The native of Port Huron, Mich. said there are many ways for Marines and sailors to make a difference. Cruz himself identified church groups, the Red Cross, and Hem of his Garment as just a few possibilities in the local Jacksonville area. Cruz added that they're all around; people just have to find them.
"This is our time," Dalrymple said, "to give back to those who need our help."
New Port, N.C. native Michael Gunter agrees. The 36-year-old, eight-year veteran paintball player said it's amazing to see the impact military members can have. He said this event created a great opportunity for local children to get off the video games and the streets and doing something both fun and productive.
"I've seen kids as young as 10 years old come out and play," Gunter said. "It's awesome what military members are doing to help out our community and our children."
Next year, Cruz and his team plan to work with Habitat for Humanity to build housing for low income families and collect many more toys for next Christmas.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Petty Officer 1st Class Ivan Cruz, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, takes cover behind bushes, Dec. 13, during a paintball demonstration at the Sportsman's Lodge in Jacksonville, N.C. As part of the Toys for Tots event organized by Cruz, paintball players were able to play a day's worth of paintball normally worth $38 for the price of one toy., Cpl. Aaron Rooks |
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| Petty Officer 1st Class Ivan Cruz, a hospital corpsman from 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, looks down the sight of his paintball rifle during a paintball demonstration, Dec. 13, at the Sportsman's Lodge in Jacksonville, N.C. Cruz and his team can't wait for 2009 to come as they plan to work with Habitat for Humanity this summer to build housing for low income families, gather food donations for Thanksgiving and collect many more toys for next Christmas. , Cpl. Aaron Rooks |
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