Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The dream of every child is to awaken Christmas morning to find a plethora of presents under the tree.
Unfortunately, for some families, purchasing holiday presents comes a long way down the priority list when food and housing and heat are needed also.
That's why the national Toys for Tots program was founded 52 years ago - to provide needy parents with new, unwrapped toys to bring as much joy to their children as the children in more fortunate families experience on Christmas.
In Warsaw, David Morales, a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Reserves, serves as the Toys for Tots coordinator. He collects the new toys and then distributes them to the families recommended by Combined Community Services, the Salvation Army and the local schools.
"Toys for Tots was started in 1947 by a Marine officer and it's grown every year since then," Morales said. "Whatever toys or funds that are collected in the county stay in the county."
This is the ninth year Toys for Tots has been active in Kosciusko County, and the community response has been phenomenal, Morales said.
The main toy drive is currently under way, with toy collection points at Wal-Mart, Big K-Mart, Owen's and Marsh. There will also be a drop off point Saturday, from 7 to 11 a.m., in the National City Bank parking lot off Center Street, between Buffalo and Lake streets.
We'll be collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to the parents by Dec. 23," Morales said. "That way, the parents can wrap them and have them under the tree, and everyone's Christmas will be a little more joyous."
For more information, call Morales at 267-7508, ext. 3490.
