Nov 14, 2015 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – For thirty years now, the local Marine group Tri-County Leathernecks has been bringing toys and joy to hundreds of Greene County children just in time for the holidays.

Boxes are out for the annual Toys for Tots drive in various locations in the county when the community contributes new, unwrapped toys for girls and boys that are then gift-wrapped and passed out on an upcoming day to families in need.

In the beginning, Toys for Tots volunteers would also take donations of used bicycles and do repairs, paint them like new and give them away as presents, Korean War veteran John “Buzz” Walters said.

“We’re too old to do that now,” he said. “But we get new bicycles donated, and that’s one of the best presents a kid can get.”

The number of Leathernecks has dwindled over the years, but the number of kids who receive gifts hasn’t, Walters said.

“We gave out toys to more than 600 children last year,” he said.

The strength of the Leatherneck mission is in its platoon of volunteer relatives, friends and fellow Marines who show up every year to make toy-giving a spit shine-smooth operation.

“My daughter and her husband come from Lone Pine every year to help,” World War II veteran Murray Williams said.

Korean War vet Dick Herrod of Nineveh died this year, so now there are only a trio of Leathernecks on call – Walters, Williams and Dick Saxby of Clarksville. But Toys for Tots continues because

“We have enough volunteers and Marines to carry on the mission,” Walters said.

Toy donations come from toys put in the boxes, and even an anonymous patron from Washington County who bring toys by the truckload. Every year Roy Negley and wife Shirley throw a dinner dance party and auction at the Moose in Waynesburg and all proceeds go to Toys for Tots.

Marines are at each site when it’s time to distribute toys – John Baily at the American Legion in Carmichaels, Chuck Zalar at Bobtown Firehall, Saxby at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Clarksville and Frank Smith and Skip Black work to help Walters and Williams at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

“Where we could use some extra help is (Dec. 18) setting up the sites,” Walters said.

This year’s toy donation boxes are out until Dec. 18 at Walmart, Giant Eagle, Dollar General, Big Lots, Community Bank and various other Greene County businesses.

Toys will then be given to children to age 12 at the four sites on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Parents should bring proof of income and their child’s Social Security card. For more information about donating toys or volunteering for the drive, contact Walters Takedown Tire Shop in Rogersville at 724-499-5332.