Leathernecks hold successful Christmas toy drive
The Tri-County Leathernecks recently held another successful Christmas Toy drive in December, in which more than 660 area children received a new toy at four different locations throughout the county for the holidays. Pictured (l. to r.) at the Greene County Fairgrounds, one of the four locations where the toy drive was held: Skip Black, Murray Williams and John “Buzz” Walters. (Photo by Steve Barrett)
The Tri-County Leathernecks' Christmas Toy drive was a success at the four different locations throughout the county in December. Pictured are some of the many tables at the fairgrounds that was loaded with a wide array of toys, games and dolls. (Photo by Steve Barrett)
WAYNESBURG – For more than 30 years, the members of the Tri-County Leathernecks Association in Greene County have held its annual Christmas toy drive, in which they collect and distribute toys for area children during the holiday season.
The toy drive has been a major success for many years, enabling the association to make Christmas a little nicer for hundreds of local families. And this initiative returned once again this past holiday season.
Since the association formed in the early 1980s, the members have worked together each year to collect toys and monetary donations for the program. The Leathernecks have worked with many local organizations, businesses, churches and individuals in collecting and distributing a wide variety of toys to needy children throughout the county.
The Leathernecks association is mostly comprised of veterans who served with the U.S. Marine Corps. John “Buzz” Walters, association commandant and former Marine, said the organization has always been committed to helping the community.
Walters said the 2014 toy drive was a huge success, as more than 660 children received toys through the program at the various distribution sites.
Walters said the toy collection program has been successful over the years because of the support received by the community at large.
For this year’s toy drive, the Leathernecks collected toys until Dec. 17 and the toys were distributed at four different locations throughout the county – Greene County Fairgrounds, Carmichaels American Legion, St. Thomas Church in Clarksville and Shannopin Civic Club in Bobtown – on Dec. 20.
Any new toys that were left over from the 2014 toy drive were donated to the Salvation Army in Waynesburg.
Walters thanked the many volunteers and fellow Leathernecks who helped make the event a success and assisted at the four sites. He recognized Murray Williams, a fellow Leathernecks member who assisted at the county fairgrounds; John Baily and Teresa and Laura Walters, who helped at the American Legion in Carmichaels; Chuck Zalar, Don Humbert and Toni Cline, who helped at the Bobtown Civic Club; and Dick Saxby, George Rieks and Linda Pelkey, who helped at the St. Thomas Church in Clarksville.
Walters also recognized Tom and Jennie Hollowood, who contributed at least 60 bicycles and assorted toys and who contribute to the event every year; Community Bank and Andrew Corfont, sponsors of the toy collection program over the past few years; and Shirley and Roy Negley, who sponsor the annual Women of the Moose fundraiser dinner and Chinese auction each year and also assist at the fairgrounds with their son Sean.
He also thanked the many individuals who contributed to the event, including Bob Bosco, Joyce Coss, Aaron Stimmel, Mike Palesco, Paul Messich, Russell Kramer, Mary Herrick, Frank Smith, Skip Black, Diane Lindley, Don King, John Higgins, Betty Raineri, Lee Main, Garry and Cindy Brewer, Rev. Bob and Virginia Peters, Paul Messich, retired Greene County Judge H. Terry Grimes, the Popielarcheck family, Bill Brown, Bob Henderson, Bruce Thompson, Brandy Carter, Bill Winters and students at Waynesburg Central High School.
Walters also recognized the many businesses, agencies and organizations who contributed to the toy drive, including the 20th Century Club, Consol Energy, Giant Eagle, Big Lots, Dollar General, Michaels Auto, Walmart, Rush’s Grocery, Walgreens, Caputo’s, the Auxiliary of Waynesburg Moose, Basic Energy Services, Carmichaels American Legion, Seldom Seen Farm, Waynesburg Masons, Community Bank, Basic Energy, CSG, Claughton Chapel, Waynesburg Lions Club, Low Hill Lions Club, United Way and the Blue Knights.
He also acknowledged association founders Jim Caputo and Dick Morgan as well as his fellow Leathernecks for their involvement in the toy drives over the years, including Sonny Alexander, Lonnie Belford, Dick Herrod, Bill Jamison, Mae Richardson, Dick Saxby, Jim Shriver, Bob Varesko, Max Devecka, Jim Ryan, Ivan Modrick and Murray Williams.
Walters also expressed gratitude to Alice Caputo, who for many years opened her restaurant, Caputo’s in Dry Tavern, for the Leathernecks to hold meetings and special events; and to Waynesburg Moose Lodge No. 461 for holding the annual dinner/dance fundraiser.
Walters also recognized the efforts of Ralph and Mike Palesco and the Washington County Marine Corp League, which partnered with the Leathernecks the past few years. Ralph Palesco passed away in 2013 and son Mike Palesco has “picked up where his father left off,” Walters said.
Finally, he also recognized the Greene County Messenger for its coverage of the toy program each year, as well as those who provided monetary or toy donations for the cause.
“We simply could not do it every year without all of the help that we receive,” he said.
With the 2014 toy drive now a memory, Walters said he is thankful for the community support that has helped keep the toy drive alive for the past three decades, and he hopes the support will continue for years to come.
“The Tri-County Leathernecks will do whatever we can to keep this great program going,” he said. “But we can’t do it alone. We hope the community continues to support the toy drive, so that we can continue providing this service for many years to come.”
For more information about the annual toy drive, call Walters at 724-499-5332 or 724-499-5348.