Toys For Tots Marks 20th YearThis year marks the 20th year of Toys for Tots in Kosciusko County.
If you haven't given yet, there are more than 15 locations to drop off your donations.
Toys for Tots was started in the 1940s 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.U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Gunnery Sgt. David Morales began the Toys for Tots program in Kosciusko County in 1990, he said Monday.
Saturday, Kosciusko County residents once again will get a chance to brighten up the lives of area youth by donating new, unwrapped toys during the Toys For Tots drive. The toy drive will be held at National City Bank, downtown Warsaw, from 7 to about 11 a.m. Gordy Young and Tricia Sloma from WNDU Channel 16 will be on hand from 7 to 10 a.m., but toys will be collected until 11 a.m.
Anyone who can not drop off toys Saturday at National City Bank can still donate gifts through Dec. 14.
Names for Toys for Tots can be given at the Warsaw Police Department beginning today. Morales said the last day for taking names is Dec. 8. People must sign up for Toys for Tots at the police station.
Drop-off barrels are at all Dollar General Stores in the county, Walmart, Walgreen's, Lakeside Chevrolet, Kohl's, all CVS stores in the county, both Owen's locations, Midas, Big R, Warsaw Police Department, National City Bank, Warsaw Community Schools, Monteith Tire, Lassus Handy Dandy and Reneker's.
All toys collected stay in this county.
In 2005, 7,800 toys were collected, and 6,500 toys were collected in 2006. In 2008, more than 5,700 toys were collected, helping more than 180 families. More than 2,000 children saw a gift under the Christmas tree in 2008. Children from 1 day old to 16 years old are given Christmas presents through the drive.
"We're hoping for at least the same," said Morales of this year's goal. "The need is obviously greater this year because of the economy and jobs."
Volunteers will help distribute the Christmas gifts Dec. 19.
Willie 103.5 will be doing their big toy drive all this week, Morales said.
For more information, to volunteer or to provide a monetary donation, contact Morales at the Warsaw Police Dept. at 574-372-9534, Ext. 341, or at Warsaw Community High School at 574-371-5099.
