T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Sgt. Chad Hillers with Marshalltown Police Department, left, and Blaine Fisher, right, hold boxes of toys donated as part of Fisher’s fifth annual Heart of Gold Toy Drive. Items are being accepted at 13 locations in Marshalltown, Conrad and Toledo until Monday.

Due to his athletic, philanthropic and entrepreneurial feats, Blaine Fisher is already one of the most recognizable faces in the Marshalltown area, but he has always sought to use the platform he has to help others. That’s why, for the last five years, he and his mother Kandy have spearheaded an annual toy drive to help local families in need of holiday gifts.

The Heart of Gold Toy Drive went even bigger this year as a total of 13 drop-off sites were arranged in Marshalltown, Conrad and Toledo. Earlier this week, they picked up 2 ½ shopping carts full of toys from Ann’s Alterations, and on Wednesday afternoon, they stopped by the Marshalltown Police/Fire Station to pick up three more boxes.

For Blaine, the reason he continues to lead the drive each year is simple: a better holiday season for people who might not otherwise be able to afford it. And year after year, his message remains the same.

“It’s better to give than to receive,” he said.

Blaine and Kandy will be collecting toys at the following Marshalltown locations: Shear Satisfaction at 2003 S. Center St.; Mama DiGrados at 2500 S. Center St.; US Cellular at 901 S. Center St.; Arby’s at 2500 S. Center St.; Citizens Savings Bank at 110 W. Southridge Rd.; T2K Nutrition at 2501 S. Center St. Suite T; Marshalltown Police Department at 909 S. 2nd St.; UAW Local 893 at 411 Iowa Ave. W.; Exterior + Home Remodeling 1304 Iowa Ave. W and REM Iowa at 21 S. 2nd Ave.

In Conrad, toys can be dropped off at the Groom Room at 108 Main St. or Hangloose Nutrition at 121 N Main St., and in Toledo, they can be left at M & S Thrift Stores at 112 N. Broadway.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.