Semper Fi Society delivers toys to children in Kamaishi City

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Meagan K. Schutter
  • 374th Airlift Wing
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  In 2011, when the East Japan Great Earthquake and Tsunami happened, Kamaishi City was one of the hardest hit areas in the Tohoku Region, leaving everything destroyed and families torn. Since then, many relief efforts and charities have assisted areas effected by the disaster and the Semper Fi Society, a group of Active Duty, Reserve and former Marines, is no exception.

Baby dolls, stuffed animals, and building blocks were some of the toys donated from the Semper Fi Society to schools in Kamaishi City, Japan, Oct. 25.

"People in Kamaishi seem hopeful and are looking to rebuild spirits since the disaster," Anastasia Moreno, Vice President of Semper Fi Society, said.

Since 2012, Semper Fi Society has taken the leftover toys from "Toys for Tots" at Yokota Air Base and distributed them to Kamaishi City schools.

"We haven't forgotten what happened and would still like to support (families effected)," Moreno said.

This year, 200 toys were given to Kaminakajima Preschool and other schools in Kamaishi City. In the future, Semper Fi Society hopes to reach up to 300-400 toys to distribute to more cities in the Tohoku Region.

"As long as the children are happy, I believe we can move forward," Deputy Mayor of Kamaishi City Tadamitsu Wakasaki said.

For more information about "Toys for Tots" visit: http://www.toysfortots.org/