News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2004

DEA Detroit Supports Local Community During The Holidays

SAC John P. Gilbride with USMC representative from Toys for Tots

DEC 23--Detroit, Michigan- During the holiday season 2004, many families in the Detroit area have been especially hard hit by economic misfortune. As part of an ongoing tradition, the employees of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit office have extended a helping hand to those less fortunate in the community.

This holiday season, the DEA Detroit was able to fill two new toy donation boxes on behalf of the United States Marine Corp (USMC) Toys for Tots program. The Toys for Tots was started in California by UMSC Major William Hendricks in 1947. From humble beginnings in 1947 of collecting 5,000 toys, the Toys for Tots program has grown to a foundation that now raises approximately 15 million toys a year for distribution to nearly 6.5 million children in need. The DEA Detroit is proud of its affiliation with the United States Marine Corp and its efforts on behalf of children.

The DEA Detroit has also been fortunate to work with the Detroit based Focus Hope Foundation. Focus Hope is a non-profit human rights organization founded in Detroit in 1968. Over the years, the Focus Hope organization has taken a larger role in the Detroit community offering services such as job training, quality and affordable daycare for low-income families, food home delivery services for senior citizens, and community outreach services. The DEA Detroit was able to “adopt” fifteen families in need this holiday season. Many DEA employees were able to involve their own children in the spirit of assisting others and then deliver the gifts personally to the families in time for a brighter holiday time.