For four days, hope filled the aisles of the Salvation Army Toy Store—where hundreds of parents, many carrying the weight of a difficult year, were able to choose Christmas gifts for their children, thanks to the generosity of the island community to the Toy and Joys program. 

Over the course of four days, parents who signed up with the Salvation Army were able to stop by and pick out toys for their children that they will love and cherish. KUAM News spoke with parent Melrosa, who was grateful.

"For the people who donated, they can really give families who don't have a christmas, they can really help out and make kids happy...not a lot of people have the time or the money to support their family with Christmas. It's really nice that salvation army is helping out, and this is my first time, too," she said.

Major Eric Tumale, the Guam Corps officer, said, "I would like to again thank the Marine Toys for Tots for helping us, also the KUAM CareForce with their Giving Tuesday, with other schools, other business organizations that has been doing toy drives it helps us to continue our mission."

Melrosa along with hundreds of other parents walked into the room filled with an array of toys, but she knew what to get her 7-year old: Play-Doh.

"I know he is really into the slime, it's Play-Doh," she said. "I did find good stuff for him. Stuff he likes like WWE, blocks, and it was a cherry on the top when they put the teddy bear inside it was really sweet."

Tumale says it was truly heartwarming seeing the parents find the perfect gift for their child, saying, "I can imagine how these children with their smile when they know they have presents from their parents.and we're so grateful we can participate in the joy of every family, during this Christmastime."

And along with the toys, he said, "They'll also receive food bags that will allow them to prepare spaghetti at Christmastime, and an assortment of food items that they will enjoy during this time."

Melrosa says this Christmas will be different from others, adding, "He's going to be happy. He's gonna be really excited and any little thing makes him happy, and jolly, so he's going to have a really nice Christmas."

A nice Christmas made possible by the generosity of the island community.