[caption id="attachment_123681" align="alignright" width="250"] Chris Cage is pictured on Wednesday inside the Willie 103.5's Toy for Tots trailer outside the Walmart store in Warsaw. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

WARSAW — Willie 103.5’s Chris Cage is always an optimist, but there was a hint of concern in his voice Wednesday when it comes to the radio station's weeklong toy drive at Walmart in Warsaw.

Unlike recent years, the amount of toys collected so far for the weeklong event is less than normal, while the demand has been on the rise.

Cage, who is the coordinator for Toys for Tots for Kosciusko and Marshall counties, said donations since Monday's week-long toy drive for Toys for Tots have been a bit slow.

"I feel like we're a little bit behind from years past. I think some of that has to do with the weather over the last couple days," Cage said. "We have some catching up to do, but the community always comes through when there is a need."

He says that for those in a hurry, monetary donations are also a great option when wanting to make an impact.

The toy drive continues today and Friday outside of Walmart from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Toys for Tots campaign continues Saturday morning with WNDU’s toy drive at the Martins Supermarket in Warsaw.

"They've been doing their drive for years, and this has been our 19th year doing ours and we work well together. There's no competition," Cage said. "The toys that come in, they stay here in the community."

To learn more online, click here.

Donations will be open until early next week.

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WARSAW — Representatives of the Dixie Sternwheeler are hoping the community will step up with financial support much like they did last weekend with a volunteer effort used to rip out the boat's lower level floor.

While the nonprofit is making repairs, more still awaits and the nonprofit group that runs it has very little money on hand, said board president Bob Daley.

That's because repairs are being financed nearly entirely on ticket revenues, which have been exhausted.

"Right now, we don't have any income coming in until we start ticket sales when we start the season, so we're trying to delay things as much as possible," said Bob Dailey, president of the Dixie Board.

The organization has some funds available through a fund with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, but the current project has relied mostly on revenues from ticket sales from last year.

"We're hoping for donations," Dailey said. "We're kind of late for the grant cycle," he said.

The group also generated about $2,500 in donations in recent months.

The board also decided to address ticket prices for the upcoming year.

Admission has been the same for 15 years, and will rise from $7 to $9.75, he said.

The biggest repair this off-season involves shoring up a sag in the boat's hull.

The lower level floor has been removed to do that and a Warsaw firm will do the work soon.

Rust on the exterior and inside the hull also needs to be removed before new paint is applied, he said.

The Dixie has several ways to provide donations, including online and a post office box.

Dailey said they hope to be operating by the start of the season which traditionally arriveson  Memorial Day weekend.

The post Donations needed for Dixie as major repairs continue appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Combined Community Services will host its annual Food a Thon on Friday and Saturday at its headquarters in Warsaw.

The non-profit is seeking food and monetary donations at 1195 Mariners Drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The following donations are being accepted:

Bread, pasta, rice, beans, canned fruit, rice pudding, coffee, long life milk, Ovaltine, tea, juice, cake, mac and cheese, cereals, soups, pasta aauce, pancake mix, syrup, Pop Tarts, Oatmeal, box dinners, honey, jam, peanut butter, canned items, diapers, baby wipes, unopened baby formula, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, shampoo and conditioner, Ttothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.

All donations must be unexpired or non-perishable.

To make a monetary donation, click here.

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WARSAW -- Kosciusko REMC will hold a week-long book drive beginning Monday with donations going to Kate’s Kart.

Kate’s Kart provides books for hospitalized children at 21 Northeast Indiana hospitals.

Anyone in the community, whether a KREMC member or not, can donate brand-new books to help fill the book cart at the KREMC facility.

Individuals interested in donating books can bring items to the KREMC facility at 370 South 250E Warsaw, between Jan. 23 and 27. The office is open between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In exchange to donations, the cooperative will be handing out free KREMC picture books to those who donate.

The books in highest demand include touch-and-feel board books, lift-the-flap board books,
animal fact books, and child or adult coloring books. Only brand-new books will be accepted in the book drive. During the book drive, financial donations to Kate’s Kart will also be accepted.

Kosciusko REMC’s partnership with Kate’s Kart is motivated by the encouragement brought to hospitalized children through the Kate’s Kart mission. The nonprofit distributes around 3,500 books each month, to children of all ages. Those interested in learning more about Kate’s Kart can visit kateskart.org.

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