SOUTH DEERFIELD — Three Marines were at Pelican Products on North Main Street this week promoting their annual toy drive, Toys for Tots.
“It’s a mission commitment; the gratification is a plus,” said Sgt. Mitchell King, who along with a few other Marines from the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, filled a pickup bed with toys collected by Pelican employees and local residents.
“We can’t overstate the importance of these smaller events,” King continued. “It’s important to keep the community involved.”
This was the first time Pelican held a Toys for Tots drive. Gregory Pytka, the business’s regional human resources manager, said “the majority of donations came from employees,” noting that “we got an excellent response.”
Before they picked up the toys, the Marines got a tour of Pelican’s factory, which has a case-making contract with the United States military.
You can reach Andy Castillo at: acastillo@recorder.com
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On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo