Local officials to gather for Christmas toy drive

WARREN — Warren Treasurer Lorie Barnwell and other city and county elected officials will partner with the Salvation Army for the Warren toy drive to collect new, unwrapped toys at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the MRCC Banquet Center.

This is the fourth year of the annual Warren toy drive, which has grown each year. Initially, the event started off in a local bar or restaurant but has outgrown that space. This is the first year the toy drive is in a hall, which will have appetizers and a cash bar.

“The community has just really poured into this event,” Barnwell said.

Barnwell toured the Salvation Army Warren Corps Community Center located at 24140 Mound Road. There she saw firsthand the process from donation through distribution and how the needs of the community are met throughout the year but especially during the holiday season.

“The Salvation Army provides help for residents who are in need, not just with the toy drive, but if a resident needs food, if they need help with their DTE bills, they help residents on a variety of levels,” Barnwell said.

“Seeing that, I just really wanted to put something together to help them and boost the (donations) of toys and (money) from the kettle,” Barnwell said.

Barnwell partnered with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and started the first Warren toy drive. Barnwell and Hackel will be joined by Warren Mayor Lori Stone, newly elected County Commissioner Michael Howard, D-District 12, and Christina Hines, president of the Women of Warren organization.

“I’ve been treasurer for nine years in Warren,” Barnwell said. “This is probably the thing I am honestly most proud of is the toy drive that I started.”

Major David Minks of the Salvation Army Warren Corps said he is pleased to be partnering with the city of Warren. Last year’s event was successful, but the need grows, he said.

“Every year things change as people reallocate budgets. There’s been fewer toys promised, and this is an important drive for us knowing that if we have to cut back at least this (event) is successful. We’ll make sure everyone has something,” Minks said.

Minks explained how parents register their children to receive a gift at Christmas. The program brings joy to the kids who receive a present on Christmas morning. Registration for the gift program started the week of Nov. 11, and the toy donations will run through Dec. 13.

“In our very first week of sign-up. We have had an extreme (amount) of requests. Three hundred kids have already asked for help in the first week alone,” Minks said. “Sign-up is ongoing now.”

The Warren toy drive collects toys for children of all ages. Toys and electronics for all ages are welcomed, from infant toys to Barbie dolls and Bluetooth speakers.

The organizers ask for new unwrapped gifts so that the parents can see what the gift is and select items for their children accordingly.

For those who think their donation won’t matter, Barnwell said, “Absolutely it will matter and does make a difference.”

Barnwell said the goal for this year’s toy drive is to raise $3,000 in cash. About 300 toys were collected last year, and they are looking to collect more this year.

Children in the Salvation Army’s Warren shelter are also given toys from the drive. According to the Salvation Army, the Macomb’s Answer to Temporary Shelter facility is a goal-based shelter with a 90-day stay on average, where housing, meals, clothing and extensive case management are provided.

“We want to help as many people as possible but then you have to be realistic,” Minks said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get to week four and five, how many kids we’re going to have in the program. But like I said earlier, I have faith. God will provide and we should have enough for everyone.”

The MRCC Banquet Center is located at 23401 Mound Road, near Eight Mile Road.

For more information about giving a donation or getting assistance, call the Salvation Army at (586) 754-7400.