
L-R – Dale Gardner, Lori McMahon, Mike Cameron, Marine Sergeants Robert Golden and Chase Davis from Reserve Engineer Services Company out of Springfield, Leo Robb, Laurie O’Neil, Chris Harder, Patricia Martinson (not pictured- David Gordon)
By LEO ROBB/ For The Herald — Mike Cameron and I would like to thank all of you for your support this year with our Toys for Tots program. We appreciate the community members who helped distribute the toys last Saturday, December 11th. Forty-one families with ninety-three children received toys, stocking stuffers, games and stuffed animals under their Christmas trees thanks to your generous donations.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, parents registered on the previous day. We utilized the First Baptist Church of Oakridge’s parking lot to stage the parents’ vehicles. Parents were required to wear masks and to have adequate spacing during both the registration and disbursement days. Parents provided the first, second and third choice of toys their child would wish to receive. We provided a bag of the toys available to match the family’s desire.
Special thanks to City Administrator Bryan Cutchen for the use of the Fire Department building. Also, a thank you to Captain Aric Higdon for all his help at the Fire Department during the event. We thank and appreciate the First Baptist Church of Oakridge for allowing us to utilize their parking lot.
Leo E. Robb, Chairperson, Oakridge/Westfir Toys for Tots Program
*Note from the Editor – This is Leo’s last year working with the Toys for Tots program, having done so for over 26 years in Oakridge. Thanks, Leo!
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.