In 2010, Toys For Tots helped more than 258 families in Kosciusko County – the most U.S. Marine former Gunnery Sgt. and Warsaw Police Dept. Sgt. David Morales ever saw.
On average, Morales said Toys For Tots helps about 110 families for Christmas.
That doesn’t count the families Toys For Tots helped through other area agencies like Combined Community Services or Salvation Army.
“If I had 258, the other agencies probably had quite a few, too,” Morales said.
This Christmas, he expects Toys For Tots will help even more families because of the continued sluggish economy.
Saturday, with news anchors from WNDU Channel 16, Morales and Toys For Tots will have their annual big collection day at Martin’s Super Market, Warsaw. The news anchors will be there from 7 to 10 a.m., with Morales there until 11:30 a.m.
Any new toy donation will be helpful, Morales said, but there is a need for older age groups, 10 years old and up especially teens.
If a person can not make the toy drive Saturday, there are other places people can drop off their toy donations.
In the Warsaw area, drop boxes are located at both Owen’s locations, Martin’s, Menards, Marsh, Warsaw Police Department, CVS, Walgreens, Winona Lake Fire Department, Day Chiropractic, Warsaw Community Schools, Toyota, Monteith Tire, Reneker’s, Big R, all Dollar General Stores, WRSW, Family Video, Midas, Best Deal Auto, Walmart and Schoop’s.
Ruby Tuesday will have a day where a percentage of people’s meals purchased will be donated to Toys For Tots. That date is to be announced.
Willie 103.5 is collecting toys through Friday at different locations throughout Warsaw in an RV donated by the RV Center of Columbia City. Today and Friday, the radio station will be at the Warsaw Walmart from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Outside of Warsaw, drop-off boxes are at Duffy’s Pub in Syracuse; Monteith Tire, Syracuse; Mutual Bank, Syracuse; CVS in Syracuse and North Webster; and the Dollar General Stores in Syracuse, Pierceton and Mentone.
People also can make monetary donations through the toysfortots.org website. Click on Indiana and Kosciusko County, and the instructions to donate are online.
Last day for Toys For Tots collection is Dec. 11.
The Trinkets For Teens program works along Toys For Tots to help supplement gifts for the age group of 12 to 17 years old. Trinkets For Teens is run through area high schools.
Last day for Trinkets For Teens collection is Dec. 12.
Trinkets For Teens donation locations include Warsaw Community High School, all Mutual Banks, JB Furniture, Big R, WPD and the BP gas station on South Buffalo Street.
In 2010, Morales said, more than 3,700 kids in Kosciusko County were given a Christmas through help from Toys For Tots, CCS and the other service agencies in the county.
There were more than 8,600 toys collected last year, Morales said, with more than 7,300 toys distributed. A percentage of toys are kept on board in case of fires and other emergencies where children may lose their toys throughout the year.
More than $2,200 was donated last year for Toys for Tots.
Sign-up dates for Toys For Tots is Friday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Dec. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Warsaw police station. Anyone signing up must present a picture ID.
Anyone willing to volunteer and deliver toys Dec. 17 can contact Morales via email at dmorales@warsaw.in.gov or call 574-376-0909.
Toys for Tots was started in 1947 by a Marine and his wife. Handmade toys were given to needy children by the couple. From there, the program grew and now corporations help sponsor the drive.
In 2010, according to a Toys For Tots newsletter, Marines and volunteers distributed more than 16.7 million toys to more than 7.2 million less fortunate children, making the campaign one of the top campaigns in the history of the program. Local campaigns were conducted in 714 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
Morales began the Toys for Tots program in Kosciusko County in 1990.
“I just specifically give thanks to the city of Warsaw and Warsaw Police Department for their support and the location for sorting and distribution of toys. Without them, it would be difficult to make things happen,” Morales said. “I appreciate everyone’s support in Kosciusko County for helping to reach this year’s goal and making sure everyone is taken care of for Christmas.”
