Here is a sampling of toys collected last year at Toy Time. InkFreeNews file photo.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The 27th annual Toy Time is scheduled to take place in the Home & Family Arts building at Kosciusko County Fairgrounds — with a few modifications implemented for safety purposes.

Each year, event organizer Ami Pitt partners with Toys for Tots and American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) to raise funds to purchase new toys for the annual Combined Community Services toy giveaway.

This year, amidst concerns about COVID-19, Pitt has been working with the Kosciusko County Health Department and will be utilizing their recommendations. 

Everyone will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing during drop-offs, the toy sale and the giveaway.

See details on the flyer at the bottom of this story

“We will have one-way aisles, much like you see at stores,” Pitt said. “We will limit the number of people in the building. We also ask that if you are sick, you send someone else for you.”

In addition, Warsaw Community Schools will be assisting with sanitizing the toys.

“The Warsaw School System, through Edgewood Middle School  Head of Maintenance Kevin Denlinger arranged to sanitize all of the used toys before the sale and before the giveaway,” Pitt said. “I believe it is called electromagnetic sanitizing. We are very grateful for their generous donation.” 

Pitt said a backup plan is being prepared in the event it becomes necessary. 

“Our ultimate goal is to demonstrate the love of Christ to families in our community,  as we help others by providing  Christmas morning fun for their families,” Pitt said.

She expressed appreciation for the local organizations they work with, including ABATE and Toys for Tots.

“It’s three separate entities working together. We raise money to buy new toys and add it to the toys given by ABATE and Toys for Tots,” Pitt explained. “We are so grateful to be working alongside ABATE Treasures for Kids and Toys for Tots to help provide gifts to the families of our 1,500 plus Kosciusko County kids.”

Pitt also voiced gratitude to the Kosciusko County Fair Board for the “generous use of the building every year for 27 years.”

“Combined Community Services, the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and Helping Hands — they all do ‘Adopt a Family’ and when they’re full they give them our information, along with anyone else in the public who needs assistance,” Pitt said.  “Even if a family has been ‘adopted,’ they can come to us and get a few toys.  In our community, we really work together well. I love that about our community.”

Used toys and children’s items may be brought to the Home & Family Arts Building at the fairgrounds, located at 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw,  between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 14-17. Volunteers will price the items and put them up for sale.

Those who bring in items for consignment will receive 50 percent of any of their items that are sold at the public sale. The other 50 percent will go toward the purchase of new toys to help families who are struggling to buy Christmas gifts this year. As always, you may donate your share of the proceeds. Items that don’t sell will be re-homed as Christmas gifts.

The toy sale will be held from 9 a.m. — 9 p.m. Dec. 19, and from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. Dec. 20.

The CCS toy giveaway will be from 9 a.m. — 9 p.m. Dec. 22, and from 9 a.m. — 6 p.m. Dec. 23. 

Donations of Bibles are also appreciated. The fairgrounds are located at 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw. More information can be found on the It’s Toy Time! Facebook page.