2008 Press Releases
U.S. Embassy Spreads Holiday Cheer with Gift Drives (12/30/2008)
More than 100 local children at Tashkent’s Boarding School for the Hearing Impaired enjoyed greater holiday cheer thanks to toys and other gifts donated by the U.S. Embassy staff and Marine Security Guard detachment in Tashkent. On December 22, 2008, representatives from the Embassy’s Community Liaison Office (CLO) and Marines presented the toys collected during the 2008 Toys for Tots at a holiday party sponsored by the school. Toys for Tots is an annual program run by the U.S. Marine Corps around the globe, which collects new, unwrapped toys from October to December each year. The Marines then distribute these toys as holiday gifts to disadvantaged children in the community. This is the third year the Marine Security Guard detachment in Tashkent has participated in the tradition. Gifts donated this year included a variety of sports equipment, toy cars, dolls, and books. Following the gift distribution, younger students treated the Embassy visitors to a “snow-flake” dance and older students performed a formal waltz.
In addition to the Toys for Tots programs, Embassy staff also purchased “Giving Tree” presents for approximately 40 toddlers to teenagers from the Chilanzaar orphanage, including nine special needs children. U.S. Embassy Co-CLOs, Jeanne Walker and Tatiana O’Hara, presented the gifts on behalf of the Embassy community on December 29, 2008. Ms. Walker noted that clothing, especially jeans, was the most requested item. Several kids changed into their gifts immediately, showing their gratitude and excitement. This was the first year that the Embassy has organized a Giving Tree, and due to the overwhelming positive response, the Embassy plans to sponsor donation programs more regularly, perhaps three or more times per year.
