By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — For 31 years Toys for Tots has done it’s best for Marshall County kids at Christmas time. This year they’re having a party for kids.
Toys for Tots will host their first annual Christmas Party as part of their toy drive, at American Legion Post 27 on Saturday. Festivities for the kids begin at 3 p.m. and after 5 p.m. there will be a fundraiser for the adults. Admission is $5 or 1 new unwrapped toy of $5 value or more.

“Santa is coming starting at 3 p.m.,” said Connie Mendoza, one of the organizers of the event along with Marcia Firestone. “We’ll have a craft table for the kids to color and things before they visit with Santa and we’ll also have a ‘Moon Jump’ inside for them to enjoy.”
The kids that visit with Santa will receive a goodies bag and there will be sandwiches and chips to eat. At around 5 p.m. Santa has to return to work at the North Pole and the party will continue for the adults with raffles, tip boards, a Disc Jockey with karaoke and a hog roast with all proceeds going to help Toys for Tots.
“Marcia recruited me to help her last year and this is our second year organizing the drive,” said Mendoza. “We started talking last year about the fact that we should have a party for the all the kids in the county from all over. Normally we’ve just gathered everything up and delivered it, we thought we should do something for all kids this year.”
All proceeds go to the Marshall County School children. ABATE works in connection with The Com-munity Foundation and Wendy Bendy at Jefferson Elementary School, Ply-mouth.
There is also a need for gift certificates for teenage kids.
“The toughest part is the shopping – making sure that we check that list twice and don’t miss anybody or anything,” said Mendoza. “In the end the kids faces are worth anything that we do.”
For information or to donate contact Marcia at 574-933-4204 or Connie at 574-952-3544, or via email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
You may also drop off donations at the American Legion Post 27 in Plymouth.