Department Programs

Toys for Tots

The Department of Pennsylvania, Marine Corps League administers the Marine Toys for Tots program in coordination with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Each holiday season, detachments across the Commonwealth collect and distribute toys to children in need within their local communities.

Reporting Requirements

Local Community Organizations (LCOs)

  • Submit an Annual After Action Report to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation
  • Due date: January 15th
  • Reports submitted electronically per Force Order guidance
  • Hard copies available for those without internet access

Detachments at Marine Corps Reserve Sites

  • Complete a Department After Action Report
  • Submit to the Department of Pennsylvania's Toys for Tots Committee Chairman

Contact & More Information

For questions regarding the Toys for Tots program, contact the Department of Pennsylvania headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville/Jonestown, PA, or visit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation website.

Scouting

The Department of Pennsylvania, Marine Corps League honors Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scouts through the Good Citizenship Award certificate program. It is an honor and privilege to recognize America's future leaders upon achieving this distinction.

Program Details

Purpose

  • Recognize Eagle Scouts with a Good Citizenship Award certificate
  • Sole intent is to honor the accomplishments of outstanding young men and women
  • The Department does not provide any information to USMC Recruiting Commands

Reporting

  • Local units report Eagle Scout honorees quarterly
  • Use the designated reporting form available through department documents

Contact

Building 3-95, Lackawanna Street, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA 17038

Phone: 717-600-6329

Email: mclpa.department@gmail.com

Funeral Honors

The Department of Pennsylvania, Marine Corps League provides funeral honors support for members in good standing. This program reflects our commitment to camaraderie and honoring our fallen brothers and sisters during their final arrangements.

Program Details

Eligibility & Support

  • Available to MCL members in good standing
  • Prescribed ceremonies and support during final arrangements
  • Members may assist or supplement USMC Reserve personnel
  • First Capitol Detachment and York County Veterans Honor Guard provide additional support

Resources

  • Standard Operating Procedure document available through the National MCL library
  • Members are encouraged to complete the VA Survivors Kit to document final wishes and access veteran benefits
  • Notify your Detachment Chaplain if hospitalized or experiencing mobility limitations

Request Funeral Honors

Family members and funeral directors may contact the Military Funeral Honors Section directly to request honors support.

Military Funeral Honors Section, HQ Marine Corps — Quantico, VA

Phone: 866-826-3628

Available Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Young Marines

The Young Marines program — "Building tomorrow's leaders today" — develops youth through leadership training, community service, self-discipline, and promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles. The Marine Corps League serves as the parent organization in a supportive and educational capacity, with no supervisory authority over individual units.

Program Details

Eligibility & Reach

  • Open to boys and girls ages 8 through high school
  • 235 units across 40 states, Washington D.C., Japan, and international affiliates
  • 7,500 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers nationwide
  • Over 1.8 million volunteer hours contributed in the past three years

Key Initiatives

  • Leadership development and citizenship through community service
  • "Closing the Gate on Drugs" campaign — awareness of gateway substances including tobacco, alcohol, inhalants, prescription drugs, and marijuana
  • Founded in 1959; visit youngmarines.com to find a unit

Volunteering as an Adult

  1. Locate a nearby unit at youngmarines.com
  2. Contact the Unit Commander
  3. Complete a Volunteer Adult Application
  4. Undergo screening by the National Center for Safety Initiatives

Pennsylvania Contacts

Eastern PA — Linda Chamberlain

Phone: 215-355-2909

Email: ssgtnwife@verizon.net

Western PA — Don Bailey

Phone: 724-746-1996

Email: jdbailey2@verizon.net

Americanism

The Department of Pennsylvania awards detachments that present the best Americanism Report — a bound book, scrapbook, or album detailing the detachment's events from convention to convention. Reports are judged on content, organization, and adherence to formatting guidelines.

Submission Requirements

Format & Deadlines

  • Reports must be organized in sections with cover pages
  • Must follow the specified criteria and formatting guidelines
  • Hand delivery required by 1:00 PM Friday of the Department Convention

Resources

  • Criteria and Format document available through department documents
  • Cover page template provided
  • Judging criteria and score sheet included

Contact

Americanism Committee Chair — Chris Shaw

Email: tankcomm92@comcast.net

JROTC Awards

The Department of Pennsylvania, Marine Corps League recognizes outstanding students in ROTC and JROTC programs at both the university and high school level. Awards are coordinated by the Senior Vice Commandant with support from local detachments. Detachments are encouraged to submit photos of award presentations for publication on the department website.

Participating Institutions

Universities

  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Villanova University

High Schools

  • William Penn SHS — York
  • Bensalem High School
  • Dallastown Area High School
  • John Harris HS — Harrisburg
  • West York Area High School

Photo Submissions & Contact

Submit photos of award presentations to the Senior Vice Commandant or the Webmaster for publication on the department website and other media.

Senior Vice Commandant: pamcl.srvice@outlook.com

Webmaster: mclpa.department@gmail.com