“Each year I donate toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program,” advised Tiare LaBistre, one of San Diego Job Corps’ Work-Based Learning coordinators.  This year I thought I would do something different to benefit more children.”

In 2010, the Toys for Tots Program delivered 16.7 million toys to 7.2 million less fortunate children nationwide.  Since the program began in 1947, nearly 436 million toys have been given to 202 million children.

Ms. LaBistre is a licensed Zumba instructor, who conducts Zumba classes at the Job Corps Center and in the community. She and her sister-in-law, also a licensed Zumba instructor, decided to hold a Zumbathon this year at the Job Corps Center to benefit Toys for Tots.

“Zumba has become the largest dance fitness program in the world,” Ms. LaBistre stated.  “It fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves, creating an amzing fitness program that will blow you away.  It’s pretty much an optimal fitness choice, which maximizes caloric output, fat burning, and total body toning.”

San Diego Job Corps staff members were encouraged to donate either toys or money to sponsor students to participate in the Zumbathon.  On December 3, 2011 nearly 60 Job Corps students and members of the community participated in the 3 hour event.  105 toys were purchased with the $477 in sponsoring money donated by the Job Corps staff.

“Our first Zumbathon was certainly a success,” Ms. LaBistre stated.  “I appreciate the support we received from our staff and students. These toys will bring joy to a lot of children this holiday season.”