Commissioner Diaz helps deliver over $16,000 worth of toys and presents for U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign

Commissioner Diaz shops for Christmas toys with U.S. Marines

MIAMI-DADE – Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz played the part of Santa Claus on Dec. 14 as he helped deliver over $16,000 worth of Christmas toys and presents for the United States Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign to benefit local needy children.

Commissioner Diaz joined other participants on motorcycle along with a motorcade made up of the Miami-Dade Police, Doral Police, Sweetwater Police and Hialeah Police as they escorted a truck full of toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Center in Hialeah for delivery to the base commander.

The toys and gifts collected will benefit children from several organizations and churches whose parents cannot afford to buy toys.

“All children, regardless of economic background, deserve the chance to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas, and that’s what this is all about,” Commissioner Diaz said.

Partnering with Commissioner Diaz for the toy drive were the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, the International Association Firefighters Union 1403, Adonel Concrete, Walmart Store 2091 in Doral, Truck Max, Rubenstein Law and Cartel Baggers.

Toys for Tots, a national project of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, began in 1947 in Los Angeles.

Commissioner Diaz helps load newly purchased bicycles onto a truck for the toy drive.