FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Oct. 8, 2015) -- When the Fort Drum Sergeants Major Association and the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers teamed up this year to begin collecting toys for the holiday season, the young leaders at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy -- students and cadre -- joined in by foot.
With the holiday season right around the corner, the students of Warrior Leader Course 10-15 and cadre decided to donate hundreds of toys to the BOSS "Mountain of Toys" trailer after their ruck march from the NCOA to the United Service Organizations on Sept. 22.
Historically, students of each WLC cycle get together to donate their time and resources to local food banks with nonperishable food items, according to Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Sikkenga, NCOA chief of operations.
It's in large part to the original vision that Command Sgt. Maj. Phil Barretto, NCOA commandant, had when he first arrived at the academy. He said he had to figure out how he and his cadre could best teach, coach and mentor the future leaders of the Army.
"The answer is always: give back," he said.
Each WLC class hopes to surpass the last class's donations.
"These toys are the difference between a good Christmas and a great Christmas," Barretto said. "You cannot feel any more fulfilled when your son or daughter opens that gift on Christmas morning."
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