Officers association gives sport balls to Toys for Tots

Among those gearing up for Christmas holidays and making donations to worthy causes is the Charleston chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

Thursday, the group will donate 80 basketballs, 40 soccerballs and 40 footballs to the local Marine Corps Reserve Unit in North Charleston, which has been collecting donations for Toys for Tots for nearly 20 years.

The Military Officers Association has been raising money for months and purchased the athletic equipment from T&T Sports in North Charleston. The association is an organization that works on behalf of commissioned and retired military officers.

"The importance is to extend the Christmas spirit to youngsters in the community — especially in these trying times," association board member Terry Joyce said.

There are several Toys-for-Toys donation drop sites around the Charleston area.

Katheryn Brennan has organized Toys for Tots donation efforts for the local Marine Corps reservists for almost two-decades. Brennan thought the economy would have a negative effect on donations but "folks seem quite generous," she said.

"The donations are coming in quite steadily," Brennan added. "We try to do all we can to ensure a kids gets gifts for Christmas."

Brennan's family along with many other local Toys-for-Tots officials will circulate on Christmas day to give out additional gifts to local families.

"It's makes everything we have around the tree a little sweeter," she said.