47th OG gives children a holiday surprise Published Jan. 12, 2012 By 2nd Lt. James Ramirez 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Pilots from the 47th Operations Group held a toy drive here to help underprivileged children in the Mexican border town of Cuidad Acuna over the holiday season. The drive was completed Jan. 6 when the kids received their toys for Dia de Los Reyes or Day of the Kings, which is the day some Christians believe the three wise men visited the infant Jesus bearing gifts. 1st Lt. Daniel Jeans, 85th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Jonathan Forsyth, 85th FTS instructor pilot, coordinated the drive along with other volunteers from the 85th FTS and 47th Student Squadron. "We accepted donations on base and also at Wal-Mart and it was an awesome experience to have people see what the donations were for, then go back in to purchase toys for the kids," said Forsyth. The amount of toys collected rose to more than 200, which was greater than initially anticipated by the donation volunteers. "We were just hoping to help out and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and the base," said Jeans. The amount of toys collected was so great that extra toys were donated to the Del Rio Police Department's "Blue Santa" program, which also provides presents for underprivileged children in the community. "There is nothing better than providing a holiday experience for these children who may not have had one otherwise," added Forsyth.