Retired U.S. Marine Major Chuck Kilbride, a Long Island native, has been recognized for his enduring commitment to leading Nassau County’s Toys for Tots initiative for nearly three decades. Despite facing the after-effects of a stroke, Kilbride continues to oversee the holiday toy drive, which has distributed an estimated total of over 2 million toys to children in need.
Kilbride, 73, suffered a stroke in October that resulted in aphasia, a condition affecting his ability to communicate. Nevertheless, he was present at Miller's Ale House in Levittown on Wednesday to assist with toy distribution for children from Hempstead. County government officials honored him for his unwavering dedication.
"He [just] wants to make sure all these kids are happy for the holiday season," said Sean Acosta, a co-chairman of Toys for Tots who helped lead the recognition ceremony. "He wants to make sure he puts a smile on every one of these kids’ faces — he collects the toys — [but] he never takes recognition, and that’s why this year we’re recognizing him."
Kilbride enlisted in the Marines in 1971 and served for 27 years. He took over the responsibility of managing the toy drive shortly after his retirement and was later inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. His daughter, retired Army Captain Kate Hiebert, described him as "relentless" and "determined."
"Toys for Tots became a mechanism for him to coordinate the generosity of everyone else to give to the next generation of kids, and I think also to teach them that there are people who care, and that this is the way you can give," Hiebert told The Post.
Acosta added, "That’s the Marines. He keeps going no matter what."