Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
While the donations to Toys for Tots locally has been steady, or even a little down this year, the need is great with a record 1,200 children signed up to receive presents who otherwise might not get any.
Saturday morning, WNDU channel 16 held its 31st annual Toys for Tots drive, with one of their locations being Martin’s Super Market in Warsaw.
Chris Cage, Toys for Tots coordinator for Kosciusko and Marshall counties, said so far this year, the toy collection “has been a pretty decent year, it’s been steady. I think the drive we did last week with the radio station, and Echoes of the Past and a couple other groups said their donations were down a little bit, which, it is what it is. We’re going to be OK. If I have to go out and do some shopping to fill the rest of the need, we’ll do it, but all in all, today, the WNDU drive has been great.”
Waiting for the fire departments to come through at that point, he said they always bring in a lot of toys.
“All in all, I think we’re on pace for a decent year. I know we have a record number of kids this year: Last count, there were over 1,200 on our list, which is not a record you want to have, but we’re going to make sure we have that need filled up. It’s a work in progress, but the community always comes through. Can’t thank the community enough. Whenever there’s a need in the community, they always step up and come through for us,” he stated.
Thurman Sparkman, Warsaw, dropped off somewhere between 50 and 100 unwrapped, unopened World War II-era collectible airplanes, cars and helicopters. They belonged to his wife Christy Sparkman’s uncle, James, a six-year Army veteran who was a sharp shooter. He’s in his 80s now.
“All of this stuff is probably worth some money. He’s in assisted living right now. He wanted to make it a point that we donate his collectibles to Toys for Tots, so little kids can get some enjoyment out of them,” Sparkman said.
Fire Departments Arrive
The biggest toy delivery of Saturday morning’s drive came with flashing lights and sirens as 13 of the 14 fire departments in Kosciusko County paraded from JB’s Furniture to Martin’s at about 9:30 a.m.
Kosciusko County Fire Association President and Burket Fire Department Chief Kevin McSherry explained, “Every year, we do a Toys for Tots collection. Every fire department in the county - 14 of them - and we are coordinated by Chris Cage and we just work for them. And, each department takes it seriously. We (gather) here (at JB’s Furniture) and go to Martin’s in one group and deliver.”
At every one of Burket Fire Department’s fish fries, if a customer tells them to “keep the change,” the change goes into the Toys for Tots fund automatically.
“And we had more money this year than we ever had in change, but our buyers said it didn’t seem to go as far at the store. I think the tariffs had something to do with it, but I think there will still be plenty and we do what we can,” McSherry said. “We all try to keep up with Milford. Milford sets the bar pretty high and somebody’s got to be the leader and they stepped up and they do it right.”
Milford Assistant Fire Chief Brian Haines said they did very well this year.
“We had a lot of donations. Some extra money, the firemen kicked in a little bit and we just enjoy doing it,” he said.
Their trailer was completely full of toys and boxes and several bicycles.
Haines said the key to their success is, “We take it kind of seriously. Every time we get called it’s usually because somebody needs help, and it’s nice this time of year to be able to do something nice for other people. It’s just a good opportunity for us and we enjoy doing it.”
Camaraderie, For The Kids
Monday, Dec. 8 is Mickey Scott’s last day as the Turkey Creek Township fire chief as he previously announced his retirement, making Saturday his last Toys for Tots drive with the fire department.
Scott, who’s been with the department for about 35 years, served as chief the last 24 years.
“Well, it’s a lot of change, a lot of evolution, I’d say, over the 24-year span where I’ve been at the department. A lot of things have changed, they’re going to continue to change, and I just decided it’s time for me to step aside, somebody else to step in. And there’s going to be some changes, and those changes are good. Every department has to keep changing,” he said.
Deputy Chief Quinn Hunter will be taking over as chief. Scott said Hunter has been with the department quite a while and knows how it runs.
“He’ll have some new ideas, which is great, and change is always great. The department always has to keep changing, and I’m looking forward to what he does,” Scott stated.
On the Toys for Tots over the years, Scott said, “I love the camaraderie between all of these departments, everybody being here. It’s a great thing to be a part of, and then, of course, it’s for the children, for the kids, for the toys, and we need to get that stuff to them. There’s a lot of need for help in our community, I realize that, and our department realizes that, so that’s what we’re here for.”
Brad Butler, Winona Lake Fire Department captain, said their toy collection this year was up.
“We were able to put more money towards Toys for Tots this year. We decided as a department we thought we should up the game a little bit, so we were able to fill - not completely the cabs of three vehicles, but probably half of the back of the cab of three vehicles. So, definitely more than what we were able to do in years past,” he said.
Though prices on toys were up this year, Butler said they also were able to get five bicycles. “That was a good thing,” he stated.
“Obviously, it’s for the kids. We definitely want to make sure we support the kids in our area. Giving back to the community is obviously very important to us. And, obviously, the camaraderie with all the fire departments coming together in one location, to be able to deliver all of these toys. I think that’s probably the best thing,” Butler said.
Pierceton Fire Department Chief Nathan Rhoades said they set out Toys for Tots boxes throughout town, as well as worked with Aludyne Corp.
“The corporation, all of their employees, they filled two boxes, and I think they had bags of toys sitting all around the boxes. They really came through, our community came through. The entire back end of the truck is completely full. It’s just amazing how the Pierceton community comes through,” Rhoades said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our department and our community because - most of these people don’t really realize how much this comes back to the community and supports the children in their own community, and that is what Christmas is all about. That’s what the gift is about - giving back to those that need it, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”
While they didn’t see any bicycles this year, Rhoades said they did collect “higher-end” toys. “I’m amazed at the generosity out of the Pierceton community for us. It’s amazing.”
Bryce Good, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, said, “We got a few of us to pitch together to donate some toys. It’s not a bunch, but it’s something, we can help out anyway we can.”
WWFT Battalion Chief Nate Iden said they enjoy helping the community and helping kids who otherwise might not have a Christmas without Toys for Tots.
White Christmas
WNDU meteorologist Andrew Whitmyer said 2025 marks 31 years of WNDU partnering with the Marine Corps for Toys for Tots.
“We keep doing it to help the community that’s in need. Year after year, the need just seems like it continues to grow and grow and grow, and we’re just trying to make sure that everyone can have a great Christmas and a great holiday season,” he said.
The Toys for Tots drive followed closely behind WNDU’s Turkeys on the Table.
“Not only are we trying to make sure that everyone has something under the tree to unwrap for Christmas, but also to make sure that everyone is fed as well,” Whitmyer explained. “So we’re partnering with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana to try to help, again, make sure the need is not only filled under the tree, but on the table as well.”
The meteorologist pointed out that Saturday was cold, but not as cold as it was in 2024.
“But if you remember last weekend when we had that winter storm, it certainly could be much worse. Obviously, you can see the snow’s on the ground. I don’t see any big warmup any time soon, so for those asking if we’re in store for a white Christmas this year, I think it would be safe to bet on a white Christmas in Michiana,” Whitmyer said.
As toys were dropped off Saturday morning, a combination of Madison and Washington elementary school choirs, directed by Jay Bolduc, performed.
Cage said they also had a lot of volunteers at Martin’s, as well as at the warehouse waiting to unload the donations. The Legion Riders came through with a big donation, as well as Echoes of the Past. Parker Hannifin, Syracuse, employees delivered a bunch of toys. JB’s Furniture gave a donation to the fire association.
“It’s a very humbling experience to say the least,” Cage, who’s in his fourth year as coordinator, said. “From my perspective, on being coordinator for it, it seems like on my end, things have gotten a little easier for me because of the volunteers and I have and my assistants. It’s learning some new things and moving forward.”
He said David Morales, who was the previous coordinator for almost 40 years, did a great job and Cage wants to keep that momentum going.
If someone wasn’t able to donate Saturday, but still wants to, Cage suggested they can go to toysfortots.org and send him an email through that website. He’ll be more than happy to pick them up or direct the person to where the warehouse is and they can drop off the toys there.
“Our collection really cuts off this week, about Wednesday, but I’ll still accept toys because we’re going to need them,” Cage said.
