ROTC brightens holiday with toy drive
Jackson students learning lessons of caring for others
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty high schools are gaining a great deal of self-satisfaction from their participation in the program.

DAVE BENJAMIN Students in the Jackson School District ROTC program wrap presents that were collected and distributed to youngsters at a holiday party.

Each year, the Air Force Junior ROTC in Jackson works with the Ocean County Office of Social Services (OCOSS) to make the holidays nicer for people who may not be as fortunate as others.

"We do a district-wide toy drive," Maj. Michael Macagnone said. "Most of the toys came from Jackson Liberty High School and Jackson Memorial High School, and we got some from the Rosenauer Elementary School."

The program has been running since 1978 and this is Macagnone's seventh year with the ROTC Toys for Tots program.

Macagnone said he asks OCOSS representatives to identify families in Jackson that may need assistance.

"We send the families a letter and invite them to our toy party," he said. "We also verify the age and sex of their children so we can identify gifts that are gender and age appropriate."

A party was held on Dec. 20 for the families. An ROTC cadet dressed as Santa Claus and the gifts were distributed. The ROTC cadets also spent time with their young guests.

"We collected more than 800 toys since Thanksgiving," Macagnone said. "The outpouring has been tremendous from the school community."

Toys for Tots is one of many community outreach programs that the ROTC cadets in Jackson's two high schools are involved in. There are about 175 cadets enrolled in the program this year.

Cadet Second Lt.Michelle Pienkowski, 18, is in charge of the Community Service Department. She said the cadets decorated the room in which the holiday party was held and were anxious to meet the children.

Michelle said she became interested in the ROTC while she attended theMcAuliffe Middle School and learned more about the program from her brother.

"In my freshman year I just jumped headfirst into the program," she said. "Basically the ROTC program teaches leadership skills, American traditions, respect and how to be a better citizen."

Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Tyler Book, 16, said the toy drive is an annual event that produces an excellent response.

"Cadets are assigned to stay after class a few days each week to wrap the presents," Tyler said. "Stickers are placed on the gifts to indicate whether the gift is for a boy or for a girl and for what age."

On the day of the party the gifts are placed on a table, ready to be delivered into the waiting hands of children.

Tyler said the ROTC program gets him involved with people of different ages and that is what he enjoys about it.

"We do a multitude of events," Tyler said. This one is just great because you're walking away at the end of the day saying, 'Wow, I really helped a lot of people and I was a part of making some kid's Christmas.' That makes me feel great about myself."

In addition to the Toys for Tots program, the ROTC cadets have been involved in the Mayor's Commission for the Disabled and with the Jackson Food Pantry.