Merry Christmas, Everybody!
Christmas is a time for community. People help each other out whenever they can. One thing that the Romeoites have done is donate toys for the Toys for Tots program.
The Toys for Tots drive began in 1947, and Romeo has been involved since at least 1988. Anytime that a person or an organization donates toys for the event, the Marine Corps Reserve gives them a big thank you in the form of a certificate of appreciation.
This is exactly what's happening in the photo seen above. Taken by Karen Hamilton for the front page of December 27, 1995 issue of The Romeo Observer, the picture shows Gunnery Sergeant Patrick Debroske presenting that certificiate to the members of the Romeo High School fund-raiser committee. They include Erica Starkey, Rosemarie Chirco, and Lori Dimitrieyski with teacher Robert Ruddick in the rear. Erica, Rosemarie, and Lori were a part of the student council at the time, and Robert was their advisor. Through their efforts, the committee raised $1,788 for that year's Toys for Tots gift drive, hence why they're receiving a hugh thank you from the Marine Corps Reserve. In today's money, that would over $3,800. According to the photo caption, the drive was sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve and Coldwell Banker Schweitzer Real Estate.
Romeo continues to donate toys for the drive to this very day.
From the Romeo Community Archives, we hope that you have a wonderful Christmas!
To learn more about the Toys for Tots program, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890. If you want to search for articles on that topic, you can find the Romeo newspapers like The Romeo Observer on the Suburban Library Cooperative's Local History Digital Collection website.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Melvin E. and Joan D. Bleich Collection, The Romeo Observer, December 21, 1988, p.1-A and December 27, 1995, p.1-A; Toysfortots.org; and 1996 Romeo High School Yearbook