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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula December 18, 2003. Text © 2003 Keweenaw Now. Photo © 2003 and courtesy Keweenaw County Sheriff.

Toys still needed for Keweenaw families

EAGLE RIVER -- Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti's "No Kid Without a Toy for Christmas" drive will provide gifts for about 80 needy children this Christmas. Toys are still needed for the older children, ages eight and up.

In the Courthouse in Eagle River, Keweenaw County Sheriff Ron Lahti displays toys collected for his "No Kid Without a Toy for Christmas" drive. All toys collected in Keweenaw County will go to about 80 needy Keweenaw County children. Toys are still needed, especially for the older, eight  years old and up, age group. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw County Sheriff's Dept.)

"Again this year the older kids' needs are the hardest to fill, but any gift will go to good use," Sheriff Lahti said.

Local donations will all go to help Keweenaw County families. Donors may still drop off toys up to Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Sheriff's Department in Eagle River, Slim's Café in Mohawk, the Eagle Harbor Inn or the Seasons Restaurant in Lac La Belle.

In spite of a winter storm on Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Eagle Harbor Inn had its fifth annual party to  collect toys for the Sheriff's drive. Mary Probst, co-owner with her husband Richard Probst, said her customers -- from Copper Harbor to Chassell -- brought in about 250 toys and several hundred dollars in cash and gift certificates.

"People that missed the party because of the weather took toys or cash to the Sheriff's Office in Eagle River," Mary Probst noted.

Generous cash donations help the Sheriff and Courthouse employees do last-minute shopping for additional, needed toys. The small population in Keweenaw County makes it possible for each needy child to receive a gift, and Sheriff Lahti delivers the gifts in person.

The Houghton County Sheriff's Department also holds a toy drive for needy children in Houghton County. This year they number about 100, according to Kevin Coppo, Deputy Sheriff in charge of the toy drive.

The Family Independence Agency provides the names of the children, whose families meet certain criteria of need, Coppo said, noting the 10-12 age group, both boys and girls, is still in need of donations.

Drop-off sites in Houghton County are Pamida in Calumet, Shopko and Wal-Mart in Houghton and the Houghton County Sheriff's Office, next to the Courthouse on East Houghton Avenue. Toys do not need to be wrapped, but if they are wrapped donors should label them to indicate the age group and whether suitable for a boy or a girl.

For more information, call the Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office at (906) 337-0528 or the Houghton County Sheriff's Office at (906) 482-0055.

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