For decades, he’s delivered joy through Toys for Tots. This year, he could use your help

Watson Robinson Jr. retired from the Marines almost a decade ago. However, his service continues as he can be found helping youngsters have a joyful Christmas.

Watson has been working with Toys for Tots for 35 years. It all started when he was living in Hawaii.

Now, he’s the Arlington-Dallas County coordinator for Toys for Tots. As he has done many times before, this holiday season he is helping the organization gather toys and gifts for children from families in need.

“This event is close to my heart because it allows me to continue serving others, something I’ve done throughout my life and military career,” Robinson explained. “I vividly remember collecting thousands of toys after Hurricane Iniki hit Hawaii in 1992 and flying them to Kauai so children could still enjoy Christmas. That experience solidified my commitment to this program.”

Robinson served 27 years in the Marines, including two combat tours. He retired in 2015 as the sergeant major for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU-4).

Throughout his military service, both active duty and reserve, Robinson participated in the Toys for Tots program. While deployed in Iraq and Djibouti, his family sent toys, soccer balls, and shoes to him, which were then distributed to local communities.

Toys for Tots deliveries

This holiday season, he and Toys for Tots have delivered more than 6,600 stuffed animals to Mission Arlington, over 150 bicycles and more than 500 toys to the Arlington school district’s McKinney-Vento program, around 3,000 toys to Arlington Bowie High School, and on Dec. 13 he joined Arlington Mayor Jim Ross at the Walmart on Randol Mill Road, where the store donated $25,000 in toys.

“It’s exciting because this is how our community comes together to take care of families in need. It is Arlington families who are going to be taken care of this Christmas with these toys,” said Ross, a grandfather himself, before lifting a child’s bike into his shopping basket.

And while all that may seem like a lot, there are still lots of children in need. In fact, Robinson said the project is anticipating a big shortfall and can use your help.

“After reviewing the numbers, we are indeed short by 86,000 toys,” he said.

Donations are accepted until Dec. 20. People can visit the Toys for Tots Arlington, Texas, website at arlington-tx.toysfortots.org to get involved and find out how you can help.

“We’re especially in need of toys for boys and girls aged 0–2 and 3–5,” he said.

Work at Little Elm High School

Robinson’s career now is as an assistant principal at Little Elm High School. He believes the work he does with Toys for Tots is something that could influence his students to do good things themselves.

“One of the greatest needs I see in young people today is the importance of learning unselfishness,” he said. “It’s a critical leadership trait I learned in the Marines, and I believe it’s the most valuable yet underdeveloped quality in students.”

But then, it’s also a good thing for adults to learn from as well, he noted.

“I hope people understand that serving others teaches invaluable life lessons,” he said. “When we dedicate ourselves to helping others, we not only impact their lives but also grow profoundly as individuals.”