Cadet Sergeant Major Travis Kieff gathers toys to deliver to local children in need.

In conjunction with the national U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program, Jesuit’s MCJROTC participated in the annual Toys for Tots drive, holding a homeroom-wide contest to collect as many new, unwrapped gifts as possible. Founded in 1947, the program distributes toys to children whose parents are unable to purchase Christmas gifts.

After a two-week long drive, members of the MCJROTC and their fellow Blue Jays collected nearly 1,600 gifts in support of Toys for Tots. This staggering number not only represents a 50 percent donation increase over last year, but also outpaces the MCJROTC’s prior greatest collection effort by 470 toys.

Students from all grade levels responded. Homerooms 805, 901, 1008, 1101, and 1205 collected the most toys in their grade levels. As a class, seniors donated the most toys.