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Don Butler: Sgt. Claus Reports for Duty

by | Jul 2024

DON BUTLER was a Marine sergeant who served in Vietnam. Today, the longtime resident of Bowling Green serves as Sgt. Claus — a gift-giver and greeter for Toys for Tots drives.

Butler’s involvement with Toys for Tots is not happenchance. Toys for Tots’ long, exciting history is significantly linked — then and now — to the Marine Corps Reserve. The organization’s founding dates back to Los Angeles in 1947, when Diane Hendricks, the wife of Marine Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks, needed a suitable charity where she could donate her homemade dolls for children in need. Failing to find an existing organization to her liking, Bill founded Toys for Tots, tapping into the goodwill of his reserve unit. 

Toys for Tots became an immediate priority of the Marine Corps Reserve. Its growth came about very quickly, and within a year, it became a nationwide program with a logo designed by Walt Disney. Bill was an executive at Warner Brothers, and Toys for Tots benefited from his access to Hollywood’s movers and shakers. Numerous celebrities became spokespersons, and the Toys for Tots theme was recorded by — among others — Nat King Cole. 

In the intervening decades, the program has grown exponentially. By 1970, Toys for Tots was distributing 6 million toys. By the 1990s, the figure had climbed to 7.9 million, and in 2020, an astonishing 20 million toys were distributed. In 1995, Toys for Tots was deemed of sufficient importance to warrant a directive from the secretary of defense that designated it as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. Today, Toys for Tots is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.

Butler has been a member of the Bowling Green chapter for the past 20 years. The Marine Corps League, Detachment 1095, sponsors Toys for Tots. “We took it on simply because of the need,” he said. Toys for Tots provides children with toys at Christmastime. The chapter collects toys and books and raises money throughout the year, aided by volunteers, businesses, and organizations. Its particular age focus is on infants up to 12-year-olds. There is also outreach from other organizations for older kids. 

For the first three Saturdays in December, Toys for Tots welcomes children and families from all over Warren County to a distribution center, where they will receive a bag of toys and books. Toys for Tots serves 14 counties across Kentucky and has, of course, a national reach.

“Every child deserves a little bit of Christmas,” Butler said. “We’re just providing hope for children and families at this very important time of year. And for children and needy families who don’t have the resources to go out and buy a lot of things, we provide that supplement.”

Because he was a real-life sergeant and sports a full beard and mustache, taking on the persona of Sgt. Claus came very naturally. He has also been involved in many services for children over the years. Sgt. Claus is a natural fit for many reasons. 

Even though Sgt. Claus is garbed in a red sweatshirt, suspenders, and red sweatpants, he is certainly not Santa Claus. “I don’t want to be a fake Santa Claus. Everybody knows I’m Sgt. Claus! There are very legitimate Santa Clauses around town!”

Butler — aka Sgt. Claus — greets the families on distribution days, paying particular attention to the children. Families, volunteers, and Butler’s brother Marines really get a kick out of it. Families sometimes will bring their children and leave them in the car while they come in to pick up the toys. “They’ll see me and say, ‘Can I get our children and have a picture?’ And I’ll take several pictures with the children and families and volunteers. It’s been very positive and heart-warming, especially at this special time of the year.”

The Bowling Green Toys for Tots has been booming for the last decade or so, picking up steady momentum, steam, and support from the community and volunteers. Butler also specifically cites Coordinator Janel Doyle, who leads all the activities and events that make all our efforts successful for the children and families at Christmas. Butler said that Toys for Tots is just one of many missions of the Marine Corps — and the rest is history! 

The significance of these acts of generosity can’t be underestimated. A beloved toy can alter everything for children facing difficult circumstances or scarcity, and a book can open up a new world. Toys for Tots doesn’t work miracles, but it brings about small transformations — and small transformations are enough. GN 

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