MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, Okinawa — Toys for Tots coordinators on Wednesday recognized the two military units that donated the most to the annual toy drive in December.

Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to families in need over the holidays each year.

During the unit competition, Combat Logistics Regiment 37 donated 240 toys and Marine Air Control Squadron 4 contributed 148, according to program coordinator Staff Sgt. Marcus Barahona.

During Wednesday’s ceremony at the Futenma United Service Organizations building, the unit commanders received plaques and commander’s awards. Only eight awards, given to those who provide substantial support to the program, were presented worldwide by the Toys for Tots Foundation this year, Barahona said.

The unit competition was just one of many efforts that made the 2008 drive a success and helped the Okinawa program exceed its 10,000-toy goal, he said. The drive produced more than 13,700 toys.

Lt. Col. David Edson, III Marine Expeditionary Force Reserve liaison officer, said exceeding the goal was a surprise, as coordinators "thought the economic turndown and financial strain would hurt" donations.

About 70 percent of the toys were distributed within the Okinawan community. Some went to the military community, and a portion will be distributed by III MEF during this year’s Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand, Edson said.

Toys for Tots is already accepting donations for the 2009 Toys for Tots campaign, he said.

Call DSN 622-9636 for more information on donating.

Cindy Fisher/Stars and Stripes

Lt. Col. David Edson, left, the III Marine Expeditionary Force Reserve liaison officer, presents a plaque to Col. Raphael Brown, commander of Marine Air Control Squadron 4, recognizing the unit for donating the second-largest number of toys during the competition on Okinawa.

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