Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Once again it's time for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots drive.
This year, the drive will be Dec. 8 from 7 to 10 a.m. at National City Bank. South Bend Channel 16 will be on hand during that time.
"All the toys that we collect through this drive stay in Kosciusko County," said U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. David Morales Friday. Morales will remain at the drive Dec. 8 until 11:30 a.m.
If someone wanting to donate toys can't make it to the Dec. 8 event, there are several drop-off boxes and barrels throughout the county. Toys will be collected "right up to Christmas," he said.
Any business or organization wishing to put a barrel or box at their facility can contact Morales. Currently, drop-offs can be found at Wal-Mart, Kmart, Warsaw schools, Warsaw Police Department, the Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Schoop's Hamburgers and Colortyme.
Toys for Tots "is a program that was started in the 1940s by a marine and his wife," said Morales. Hand-made toys were given to needy children by the couple. From there, the program grew. Now corporations help sponsor the Toys for Tots drive and celebrities get involved in the program.
Locally, Morales said, Ryder Truck Rental provides the trucks; National City Bank allows the Toys for Tots drive to be held on their parking lot; Kosciusko County Foundation provides use of their facilities; and area merchants provide food and drink for the drive.
Morales said he began the Toys for Tots program in Kosciusko County in 1990-91. The program begins each year "right after Thanksgiving."
Morales, along with friends and family and members of the sheriff's department and fire departments, will distribute toys to more than 50 families this year. Toys are also provided to local agencies - Combined Community Services, Our Father's House, Helping Hands, Salvation Army, Cardinal Center Inc. - to be distributed to needy children. Through the combined effort, thousands of Kosciusko County children will receive gifts this year for Christmas they may not have received otherwise.
If someone knows of a family in need of gifts this year, Morales said, they can contact any of the service agencies, call him at 267-7508, Ext. 3490, or call the Warsaw Police Department.
Last year, more than 8,500 toys were collected. Morales said this year, they want to meet or exceed that amount. The age group the drive finds the most difficult to fill is the teenager group (age 17 and under), Morales said.
Monetary and clothing donations can also be accepted.
Also, any church groups that may need assistance to supplement what they have can contact Morales.
