DAPHNE, Ala.  — The Academy celebrated the 239th birthday of the United States Marine Corps with the Jesse Andrews Jr. Marine Corps League Detachment of Daphne on Monday.

Continuing a long-standing Marine Corps tradition, the birthday was celebrated with the cutting of a cake using a non-commissioned officer's sword at 4 p.m. on Monday on the Academy's campus.

Furthermore, the first piece of cake was served to the oldest marine in attendance, retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Mawk Arnold, and the second piece of cake was served to the youngest Marine present and Academy registrar, Ms. Sara Lee.

In addition, the Academy, in coordination with the Jesse Andrews Jr. Detachment, is serving as a collection center for the 2014 Toys for Tots program for its 19th consecutive year.

Local residents, organizations, companies and schools may drop off their new, unwrapped toys at the Academy's campus to help assist those who need it most this time of year.

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 5 during the regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Academy is located at One Academy Drive, Daphne, directly off of U.S. Highway 98.

If you do not live in Baldwin or Mobile Counties, please visit the Toys for Tots website at www.toysfortots.org/donate/ to find a drop location in your area or to make a donation online.

Contact the Academy's Matthew Cope, Director of Operations, at 251-626-3303, if you have any questions about this project.