In the spirit of giving during this Christmas season, why not give to children who might not have a holiday without your help?
This is the 60th anniversary of the Toys for Tots program. 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.
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.
"I've had great success each and every year, great support from the community," said Morales, who volunteers each year to coordinate Toys for Tots in Kosciusko County.
Warsaw Party Rental is donating the use of a tent for Toys for Tots in case of bad weather.
Anyone who can not drop off toys Saturday at National City Bank can still donate gifts through Dec. 19. Morales said the last day for taking names for Toys for Tots is Dec. 14. Distribution of the gifts is set for Dec. 22.
Drop-off barrels are at National City Bank branches, all Dollar General Store locations, both Owen's stores, the Warsaw Police Department, Wal-Mart, Big R, Lassus Handy Dandy, Warsaw Community High School, Reneker's, Willie 103, WRSW, Warsaw Community Development Corp., Veterans of Foreign Wars 1128, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy both Monteith Tire stores and Midas.
The radio stations are broadcasting from a different location each day this week, supporting Toys for Tots. They hope to fill a donated RV with toys. Today, the location is Owen's east, and the radio stations will be at Wal-Mart Friday all day.
All toys collected stay in this county.
Since 1990, the local U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys For Tots program has provided Christmas for thousands of children who may not otherwise have had one. The drive is all volunteer.
In 2005, 7,800 toys were collected, and 6,500 toys were collected in 2006, said Morales. Children from 1 day old to 16 years old are given Christmas presents through the drive.
"The goal is to take care of every family that is in need," said Morales.
Volunteers from the community, Indiana State Police, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Dept., Warsaw Police Dept., Citizens Academy, local Boy Scout troops, WCHS and various other organizations help with the delivery of the toys.
"It is all volunteer time," said Morales. "It's a commitment I've taken on to serve my community and county, and I appreciate the support."
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 on his cell phone at 376-0909.
