Leathernecks hold successful Christmas toy drive
The Tri-County Leathernecks recently held another successful Christmas toy drive in December 2016, in which 826 area children received a new toy at four different locations throughout the county for the holidays. Pictured (l. to r.) picking up one of the donation boxes is Dick Saxby, John “Buzz” Walters and Murray Williams, all USMC veterans.
Pictured are many of the volunteers at the Greene County Fairgrounds on Dec. 17 for the Tri-County Leathernecks’ Christmas toy drive.
John “Buzz” Walters poses with one of the dozens of bicycles that were given away.
Volunteers Diane Linsley and Shaun Negley sign in and assist registered residents at the Greene County Fairgrounds during the Leathernecks’ Christmas toy drive distribution on Dec. 17.
For the past 34 years, the members of the Tri-County Leathernecks Association in Greene County have held an 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 2016 toy drive was a huge success, as approximately 826 children received toys through the program at the various distribution sites.
“This initiative was highly successful in December, and the people and businesses really responded this year with their donations,” Walters said.
Walters said the toy collection program has been successful over the years because of the support received by the community at large.
For the 2016 toy drive, the Leathernecks collected toys until Dec. 15 and the toys were distributed at four different locations throughout the county — Greene County Fairgrounds, Carmichaels American Legion, St. Hughes Church in Clarksville and Bobtown Fire Hall — on Dec. 17.
Walters thanked the many volunteers and fellow Leathernecks who helped make the event a success and assisted at the four sites.
“The site volunteers really are responsible for this success,” he said. “It takes a lot of volunteers to organize the program, and this year their support was outstanding. This year was the best ever for the Christmas toy drive.”
Volunteers at the Waynesburg site included Murray Williams, a fellow Leathernecks member and USMC veteran; Bill Winters, who has been volunteering for more than 25 years; Roy and Shirley Negley, who are also responsible for sponsoring the annual Waynesburg Moose fundraiser dinner and who buy toys; and Diane Linsley and Shaun Negley.
Volunteers at the Clarksville site included USMC veteran Dick Saxby, Linda Pelkey and George Reicks.
Volunteers at the Carmichaels site included USMC veteran John Baily; and Theresa, Barb and Laura Walters, who have volunteered with the program for more than 30 years in memory and honor of their husband and father, USMC veteran Jim Walters.
And volunteers at the Greensboro/Bobtown site included USMC veteran Chuck Zalar and Toni Cline.
Walters also thanked the site locations for their support, as well as the many businesses, agencies and organizations who contributed to the toy drive. He also recognized Waynesburg University’s communications department under the leadership of Professor Richard Krause for raising one of the largest donations for the cause.
He also recognized Fox Ford Inc., which sponsored a pick-up for the toys this year; and Waynesburg Moose for providing their annual dinner and fundraiser to kick off the toy drive.
“The Moose is the biggest donor of toys and their dinner fundraiser always provides a good start for us,” he said.
Walters admitted he was hesitant to mention every business, organization and individual that contributed to the cause, because he feels the list is too long to mention.
“Each year, there are many folks that I know I can count on, but if I try to name all of them I will probably miss someone, and I don’t want to do that,” he said. “So, to each and every one of you who donated, supported or contributed in any way, I sincerely thank you. You know who you are.”
Finally, he also recognized the various local media outlets for 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 2016 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-plus 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.”
Walters said he is expecting this year’s toy drive to be special.
“It’s going to be our 35th one, and that’s a big anniversary,” he said. “Not sure what we’re going to do yet to commemorate the occasion, but I assure you something special will be planned. Stay tuned.”
For more information about the annual toy drive, call Walters at 724-499-5332 or 724-499-5348.