By CASEY NEILL
Toys for kids in need filled Dandenong RSL thanks to Victoria’s Nashos.
The National Servicemen’s Association of Australia’s (NSAA) south-east sub-branch co-ordinated the collection on Saturday 9 July.
Sub-branch president Mike Smith said the Salvation Army Toy Bank would distribute the haul of “several thousand toys”.
“It’s on the condition that none of the toys are sold in their shops – they are all to be given away to needy kids,” he said.
“They also give to other charities and they also give to jails.”
He said Salvos case managers could recommend a child receive a certain item, like a bike for a boy so he can hang out with his pedalling mates.
Mr Smith said the NSAA had donated up to 70,000 toys over the 13 years its run the project.
“A lot of the branches donated toys. Some of the sub-branches donate money, which we collect and we go to a wholesale toy place in Swift Way, Dandenong South,” he said.
“They look after us and they also donate stuff as well.”
Mr Smith said the toys ranged from bikes and scooters to teddies and dolls.
“We’re also going out to the Salvation Army warehouse at Brunswick where they distribute all the toys from,” he said.
The NSAA represents the 287,000 young men the government called up for service during two conscription schemes.
About 227,000 were drafted between 1951 and 1959, during the Korean War.
Navy and air force National Servicemen aged 18 did six months of full-time training while army National Servicemen served three months of full-time and then the balance part-time in the Citizens Military Forces.
Between 1965 and 1972, National Servicemen aged 20 were called up for two years’ full-time service to the army during the wars in Borneo and Vietnam.
