Volunteers Gather Toys for Tots Saturday
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
“It’s been slow, and then we have a spurt of vehicles come in, and then nothing. It’s been off and on,” Morales, a Warsaw Police Department sergeant and former U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant, said during the event.
One reason for Saturday’s slow toy drive may have been because of Willie 103.5’s eighth annual toy drive last week at Big R and Walmart. Morales said the radio station’s big push resulted in a large RV completely full of toys “because they were matching” donation for donation and the department stores were offering discounts on items purchased for Toys for Tots.
“We just appreciate the help of the community,” Morales said. “It wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers from the Wawasee and Warsaw choirs to the Octagon Club, the local military recruiters, the mayor helping out as well; the donation of box trucks from UHaul, the Winona Lake office, Warsaw Police Department and RE/Max; the city providing the use of the city hall; the Baker Youth Club providing use of the former YMCA for sorting and distribution.”
WNDU Channel 16 on-air personalities Trisha Sloma and David Harker were back in Warsaw to broadcast the toy drive, too.
Between Willie 103.5’s toy drive and Saturday morning’s event, Morales said, “We will have all the families taken care of that signed up. We’re down in numbers with the number of families that signed up, but an increase in donations will make Christmas good for those families because they will receive well.”
U.S. Marine Sgt. Matthew Wesley was on hand at Saturday’s toy drive. He said Toys for Tots was founded by the Marines in the 1940s as a way for the Marines to give back to the community.
“Around this time, we understand some families aren’t able to afford Christmas, so we give to the parents so they can give to their kids on Christmas day,” Wesley said.
Personally, he said Toys for Tots is “absolutely amazing” to him “to be here and see everyone giving back and being so giving this season. It means the absolute world to me to see people give back.”
Lorraine Anglin, Clunette, donated several toys Saturday with her grandchildren, Allie Ayers, who turned 7 years old Saturday, and RJ Ayers, 4.
“(My husband) John and I have done this for several years because we know Tom and Trisha (Sloma) personally. After John passed away, I thought I would involve the grandkids to see what help it does,” Lorraine Anglin said.
Allie said she liked the event “because I can be on TV,” while RJ liked Santa Claus.
“This is a very good thing that they do,” Anglin said of Toys for Tots.
Donations to Toys for Tots can still be made at any participating drop-off location until Dec. 15. Those locations include, in Warsaw: Martin’s, both Owen’s locations, Walmart, Menards, CVS, Walgreen’s, Monteith Tire, Reneker’s, Big R, all Dollar General Stores, Family Video, Best Deal Auto, Copper River, State Farm, First Federal Savings Bank, Beacon Credit Union, Dental Solutions, Midwest Eye Consultants, Warsaw Police Department, city hall, Warsaw Community Schools, Biomet and Zoyo’s Yogurt.
Outside of Warsaw, drop-off locations are: The Papers offices, Milford; CVS in Syracuse and North Webster; Dollar General in Syracuse, Milford and Pierceton; Mutual Bank, Syracuse; Family Dollar, Silver Lake; Axiom Compliance Services; and Lizard’s Bar & Grill, Milford.
Monetary donations to Toys for Tots can be dropped off at WPD. Checks can be made to Toys for Tots with “Warsaw, Indiana” in the memo line.
Positive country music artist Susie McEntire, the sister of Reba McEntire, will perform a concert at Lakeview Middle School, Warsaw, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free with a monetary or toy donation for the local Toys for Tots.
Morales said sorting of the toys will begin today, with distribution to families scheduled for Dec. 20.[[In-content Ad]]
“It’s been slow, and then we have a spurt of vehicles come in, and then nothing. It’s been off and on,” Morales, a Warsaw Police Department sergeant and former U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant, said during the event.
One reason for Saturday’s slow toy drive may have been because of Willie 103.5’s eighth annual toy drive last week at Big R and Walmart. Morales said the radio station’s big push resulted in a large RV completely full of toys “because they were matching” donation for donation and the department stores were offering discounts on items purchased for Toys for Tots.
“We just appreciate the help of the community,” Morales said. “It wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers from the Wawasee and Warsaw choirs to the Octagon Club, the local military recruiters, the mayor helping out as well; the donation of box trucks from UHaul, the Winona Lake office, Warsaw Police Department and RE/Max; the city providing the use of the city hall; the Baker Youth Club providing use of the former YMCA for sorting and distribution.”
WNDU Channel 16 on-air personalities Trisha Sloma and David Harker were back in Warsaw to broadcast the toy drive, too.
Between Willie 103.5’s toy drive and Saturday morning’s event, Morales said, “We will have all the families taken care of that signed up. We’re down in numbers with the number of families that signed up, but an increase in donations will make Christmas good for those families because they will receive well.”
U.S. Marine Sgt. Matthew Wesley was on hand at Saturday’s toy drive. He said Toys for Tots was founded by the Marines in the 1940s as a way for the Marines to give back to the community.
“Around this time, we understand some families aren’t able to afford Christmas, so we give to the parents so they can give to their kids on Christmas day,” Wesley said.
Personally, he said Toys for Tots is “absolutely amazing” to him “to be here and see everyone giving back and being so giving this season. It means the absolute world to me to see people give back.”
Lorraine Anglin, Clunette, donated several toys Saturday with her grandchildren, Allie Ayers, who turned 7 years old Saturday, and RJ Ayers, 4.
“(My husband) John and I have done this for several years because we know Tom and Trisha (Sloma) personally. After John passed away, I thought I would involve the grandkids to see what help it does,” Lorraine Anglin said.
Allie said she liked the event “because I can be on TV,” while RJ liked Santa Claus.
“This is a very good thing that they do,” Anglin said of Toys for Tots.
Donations to Toys for Tots can still be made at any participating drop-off location until Dec. 15. Those locations include, in Warsaw: Martin’s, both Owen’s locations, Walmart, Menards, CVS, Walgreen’s, Monteith Tire, Reneker’s, Big R, all Dollar General Stores, Family Video, Best Deal Auto, Copper River, State Farm, First Federal Savings Bank, Beacon Credit Union, Dental Solutions, Midwest Eye Consultants, Warsaw Police Department, city hall, Warsaw Community Schools, Biomet and Zoyo’s Yogurt.
Outside of Warsaw, drop-off locations are: The Papers offices, Milford; CVS in Syracuse and North Webster; Dollar General in Syracuse, Milford and Pierceton; Mutual Bank, Syracuse; Family Dollar, Silver Lake; Axiom Compliance Services; and Lizard’s Bar & Grill, Milford.
Monetary donations to Toys for Tots can be dropped off at WPD. Checks can be made to Toys for Tots with “Warsaw, Indiana” in the memo line.
Positive country music artist Susie McEntire, the sister of Reba McEntire, will perform a concert at Lakeview Middle School, Warsaw, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free with a monetary or toy donation for the local Toys for Tots.
Morales said sorting of the toys will begin today, with distribution to families scheduled for Dec. 20.[[In-content Ad]]
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