Shipyard's 'Caravan of Toys' to Roll Saturday

On Saturday, December 1, 2012, the Caravan of Toys will roll out from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for the 62nd consecutive year to benefit needy children throughout the area.

The Caravan of Toys is sponsored by the Naval Civilian Managers Association, (NCMA).  Funds to purchase the toys were donated by Shipyard employees, military personnel, tenant activities, and organizations including the Federal Employees Metal Trade Council, the American Federation of Government Employees, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Naval Civilian Managers Association, the Federal Managers Association, and the National Association of Superintendents.

As in years past, the Shipyard community was incredibly generous in their support of this worthy cause. With the funds collected the Caravan of Toys Committee was able to purchase approximately 3,030 toys, valued at over $15,000. The toys will be delivered to 31 agencies in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts - who in turn will distribute them to the children in need within their communities.

In addition, this year we shipped four boxes of toys with hats and mittens to New Jersey in support of recovery efforts for those who lost so much in Hurricane Sandy.

This tradition is able to continue through the efforts of the many Shipyard volunteers who, on their own time, manned collection barrels at the gates, purchased toys, and then delivered these toys to the various agencies.

Santa will be on hand as the Caravan of Toys leaves from Gate 1 of the Shipyard at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Submitted by Gary Hildreth, Public Affairs Office, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine