New York, NY—Dr. Arvind Philomin & Dr. Divya Adusumilli, joined the U.S. Marines in an all out campaign to attack poverty and illiteracy in our own society through the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty over 16 Million children in the United States live below the federal poverty level. Dr. Joe Jones, serving his community for over 15 years, was quoted as saying, “This is an outrage! Only someone who doesn’t care about this city and our children would keep this quiet. Something should be done about this!”
During a special event and banquet held in Florida honoring the U.S. Military during Military appreciation week commencing with Veteran’s Day the U.S. Marines were honored. Also recognized were the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots program and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.
In 1947, after WWII, Toys for Tots began in Los Angeles when Major Bill Hendricks and a group of Marine Reservist collected and distributed 5000 Toys to needy children.
Then in 2008 in order to do something about illiteracy, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program was launched with the mission to offer our Nations most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and succeed in life. Big named companies such as The UPS Store, FAO Schwartz, Hasbro, Toys R Us, The Walt Disney Company and many more all joined the fight in supporting the Toys for Tots Literacy Campaign.
Dr. Philomin & Dr. Adusumilli said, “We want to do our part. And we want everyone in this city to know about this program and support it. Look, not only do the Marines give the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom, but they are also leading the way in showing us that something can be done about it; something can be done about poverty and illiteracy by everyone pitching in. During the event presentation, Captain Joseph Draeger of the U.S. Marines said, “Through the gift of a book we can provide the tools needed to help break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.” Both Doctors said that their colleagues agreed to support this program, and during the event they raised enough money to help over thirteen thousand disadvantaged families in the United States!
One member was quoted as saying that it would be un-American not to promote and support this. Both Doctors said that they felt it was their duty to help promote this Toy for Tots Literacy Program—making more people aware of this unhandled pain and suffering of poverty and illiteracy in our own country—we should learn from the Marines! They are demonstrating to us that something can be done about it; despite all odds!
