The annual Toy Consignment Sale is happening this weekend in Warsaw, and it’s your chance to find some cash in your child’s toy box.

Good used toys that your child no longer plays with can be turned into some cool cash for your holiday spending. It’s also a great way to recycle toys and give another child the opportunity to enjoy them. Plus, the proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase new toys that will go to children in our local communities who might not otherwise have Christmas gifts.

Used toys are being accepted for the consignment sale today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The public is encouraged to bring gently used toys to the Home and Family Arts building at the Kosciusko County Community fairgrounds where volunteers are on hand to collect the toys and price them for the consignment sale. The public sale is to be held 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

On Friday night, Dec. 13, those who contribute toys for the sale will have the opportunity to shop for replacement toys first.

According to Sarah Pitt-Baier, whose family has been making this sale possible for 20 years, 50 percent of all sale proceeds will go toward the purchase of new toys that will then be given away the following week in the annual toy giveaway. Sellers should note that none of the toys brought for the consignment sale will be returned.

Consignors may choose to collect their 50 percent of the sale or donate it to for the toy giveaway. Proceeds from the sale will be used by the Pitt family and CCS to purchase new toys that will be made available to parents and grandparents on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 17-18.

Parents who cannot afford to provide for their children’s Christmas are encouraged to attend the Combined Community Services Toy Giveaway on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Home and Family Arts Building at the fairgrounds.

CCS staff and volunteers will assist in making sure toys are evenly distributed. It is preferred that parents come to the toy giveaway without their children as Pitt-Baier explained, “We want this to bring family unity on Christmas morning. If the kids are there, then it isn’t a surprise and we want them to have that excitement on Christmas morning of opening their presents.”

The toy giveaway will then be opened to grandparents on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., also at the fairgrounds.

Each year, proceeds from the consignment sale, as well as donations from private individuals and groups like ABATE, make it possible to provide approximately $5,000 in new toys for the CCS giveaway.

For more information, contact this year’s toy sale coordinator Ami Pitt at 574-265-4179.