by Kevin Lilly
Just as holiday lights dazzle parade goers in Logansport each year, a new parade participant hopes to brighten a needy child’s Christmas.
For the first time in the Light Up Logansport Parade’s nine-year history, the United States Marine Corps Reserves will join the lineup. Their “float” of choice is a seven-ton military truck they hope to fill with donations for its Toys for Tots program.
“We want to challenge the city to stuff that seven-ton full of toys,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Frank, the Toys for Tots coordinator.
Frank is looking forward to offering the chance to contribute to the thousands that attend the parade, which begins at 7 p.m. this Friday.
Each year through its not-for-profit foundation, the Marine Corps spends three months gathering new, unwrapped toys for less-fortunate children around the country. Frank and his staff work long hours handling donations for the seven-county region of Cass, Howard, Fulton, Wabash, Grant and Tipton counties. All the toys they gather stay local, he said.
The seven-ton parade entry will be decorated with holiday lights and flanked by Marines, Logansport police officers and firefighters. Once the truck reaches the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway, it will separate from the parade route and pull into the National City Bank parking lot where people can make donations.
Drop boxes will also be located on each side of the parade route at the intersections of Fifth and Sixth streets at Broadway and at Security Federal Savings Bank.
With the goal being to fill the truck, Frank said he wouldn’t mind making more than one trip.
Gifts will continue to be collected up until Dec. 15 at drop boxes placed throughout the area. For a complete list of locations, go to the Toys for Tots Web site at www.toysfortots.com.
Once gathered, all the toys will be separated by age and gender and then distributed. In Cass County, the Salvation Army will ensure the toys make it to their destination before Christmas.
Along with the Logansport Police and Fire departments and FOP Logan Lodge 71, Mayor Mike Fincher supports the program and encourages people to donate.
“In this economic climate, a lot of people are suffering and those of us fortunate enough to have jobs and are making a living need to help wherever we can,” said Fincher, who considered what a success the toy drive could be if each family attending the parade brought just one gift.
• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com.
Where to donate
During the Light Up Logansport Parade, drop boxes for Toys for Tots will be located at the intersections of Fifth and Sixth streets at Broadway and at Security Federal Savings Bank, as well as at the military truck in the National City Bank parking lot. More information about the Toys for Tots program and a list of other drop box locations available leading up to Dec. 15 can be found online at www.toysfortots.com.
