2014 was a “breakout year” nationally for donations to Toys For Tots. Warsaw Police Dept. Sgt. and former U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Morales, the Toys For Tots Kosciusko County area coordinator, is hoping that success will continue this year. The annual Toys For Tots drive with WNDU Channel 16 is from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Martin’s Super Market, Warsaw. Morales will remain on hand taking donations until 11:30 a.m. Sign-up times and dates are 4 to 8 p.m. today; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday; and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Warsaw Police Department in the back. All those signing up need a picture ID and a form of ID for the kids being signed up. For more information, check the Toys For Tots website at www.toysfortots.org; contact Morales at 574-371-5099, Ext. 2367 or 574-372-9511 or email kosciuskocountyt4t@gmail.com According to the Summer 2015 Toys For Tots newsletter, “A number of records were set in monetary and GIK donations, and our total revenue of over $284 million was by far the best year the program has ever experienced. ... As a result of our successful campaign, our Marines and volunteers distributed 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children. Local campaigns were conducted in 759 communities.” Morales said last year’s success nationally was “record setting.” “For every $1 donated, 97 cents went for toys and 3 cents for supplies. We are by far the best not-for-profit as far as those numbers,” Morales said. “No administration fees are paid for by donated monies. Administration fees are paid by the trust left by the Foundation.” He said Toys For Tots is the only program sponsored by the Department of Defense, though no money is received by the Department. “They just support it,” Morales confirmed. Locally, Morales said, “We serviced over 250 families with Toys For Tots alone. That includes Kosciusko and Marshall counties since we inherited Marshall County. I hope to have a coordinator in place for Marshall County next year. They had 12 families that needed assistance last year.” He said this area’s Toys For Tots program covers over 900 square miles and a population of about 100,000 people between the two counties. “We collected over 11,000 toys and distributed over 10,000. We served 3,271 kids including Toys For Tots, Combined Community Services, Salvation Army and Helping Hands,” Morales reported. Last year, the local Toys For Tots also received over $2,200 in monetary donations. During the toy drive Saturday, Morales said the Wawasee and Warsaw Community high schools select chorales will perform. Santa Claus may drop by, and local fire departments will deliver the toys they collect during their own toy drives. The Indiana National Guard should be providing static display and support from the local recruiter. This Saturday’s toy drive at Martin’s isn’t the only one benefitting Toys For Tots. Willie 103.5 collected over 6,600 toys in 2014 during their toy drive. This year, they started a day early, Sunday, at Big R where they were Monday and today, too. They will be at Walmart Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A free “Country Christmas with Susie McEntire” concert is Dec. 12 at Lakeview Middle School. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the concert starting at 7 p.m. Those who attend are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots. Toys For Tots drop-off boxes can be found in the following Warsaw locations: Big R, Walmart, Dollar General Stores, Martin’s, Monteith Tire, First Federal Credit Union, Beacon Credit Union, Dental Solutions, Align Life, Work One, CVS, Walgreen’s, Owen’s stores, Reneker’s, Old National Bank, city hall, Warsaw Community Schools, WPD, Marsh, Family Video and Ruby Tuesday. Outside of Warsaw, boxes are at: Dollar Generals in Pierceton, Milford, Syracuse and North Webster; Lizard’s Bar, Milford; and CVS in Syracuse and North Webster. Trinkets For Teens is once again taking donations to help supplement gifts for teens. Any monetary donations may be given at the toy drive this Saturday or in person at the WPD. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 14, and delivered Dec. 19. Volunteers are welcome to help in sorting and/or distributing toys, and they can contact Morales at kosciuskocountyt4t@gmail.com to volunteer. Volunteers also are welcome this Saturday. The founder of Toys for Tots was the late Col. William L. Hendricks, USMCR. In the mid-1940s, Hendricks was the director of public relations for Warner Brothers Studio while a major in the Marine Corps Reserve. In fall 1947, he, with the assistance of members of his Marine Reserve Unit, collected and distributed toys to needy children in Los Angels, Calif. The first toy was a handmade doll crafted by Hendricks’ wife, Diane. His pilot project was such a success that the Marine Corps adopted it and expanded it nationwide in 1948. That year, Walt Disney designed the first Toys for Tots poster, which included a miniature three-car train that was subsequently adopted as the Toys for Tots logo.
