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Heavy metal rocker pitches in for Marines

With a well-documented past of substance abuse, heavy metal rock star Dave Mustaine might not seem like the biggest fan of the Marine Corps and its reputation for order and discipline.

But the longtime singer of Megadeth coordinated the donation of thousands of toys through the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to wildfire victims in the San Diego area, including four pallets that were delivered to Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The effort was organized with the help of Hasbro Toys, which donated a portion of the thousands of games, block sets and dolls delivered.

Toy deliveries also were made to the chamber of commerce in nearby Fallbrook, Calif., and to North Coast Church, a Fallbrook church the Mustaine family attends, said Bob Leonard, chief executive officer of the chamber of commerce.

“He’s this interesting paradox, with a family who regularly attends church, but he’s still involved in that kind of music,” said Bob Leonard, chief executive officer of the chamber of commerce in nearby Fallbrook, Calif.

The toys were delivered to the church in part because there are 300 to 400 children of Marine families who attend and have parents deployed at Camp Pendleton, according to a prepared statement by the band.