Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
David Morales is conducting his 13th Toys for Tots drive Saturday.
The 16-year member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (with four years active duty) said toys for children of all ages can be brought to him from 7 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow in the National City Bank Plaza on Center Street across from the Kosciusko County courthouse, Warsaw.
For folks reluctant to get out in unpredictable weather, there are drop-off stations at all police departments, fire stations, Reneker's Sports Shop, Schoop's Hamburgers, Big Lots, the Dollar Tree, Wal-mart Supercenter, Kmart, Owens supermarkets and the Deluxe Home Center, too.
Toys for Tots is the USMC's premier community action program, officially adopted by the corps in 1948.
Last year, 8,500 toys were collected for Kosciusko County children. The toys are distributed to Combined Community Services, Helping Hands, the Salvation Army, churches, the Cardinal Center and the Boys and Girls clubs.
The Morales family delivers toys to 60 families on Christmas Eve.
"It's a lot of running around and that's our Christmas," he said. "By the time my kids handle all those toys, they aren't interested in any of their own."
Morales is the Warsaw Police Department's school liasion officer and is stationed at Warsaw Community High School. From his office, filled with USMC memorabilia, framed honors and personal items, he said anyone can contact him about kids needing toys.
He will take names until Dec. 24.
For more information, Morales can be contacted at WCHS, 267-5174, Ext. 2367, or at the WPD, 372-9511.
