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/,37 ;6@: -69 ;6;: /,37 20+: HAVE A 4,99@ */90:;4(: By Ed Troyer
3LHUFH &RXQW\ 6KHULII·V Department
One of the highlights of the year for me is working with Toys for Tots. I have had the privilege of being the co- ED TROYER coordinator the past five years with George Hite from the Marine Corps League of Pierce County. Toys for Tots began in 1947. Major Bill Hendricks, USCR, was inspired by his wife, Diane, when she tried to donate a
homemade Raggedy Ann doll to a needy child but could find no organization to take her gift. At her suggestion, Major Hendricks gathered a group of local Marine reservists, who coordinated, collected and distributed some 5,000 toys for local youth in need in Los Angeles. Now, 66 years later here in Tacoma, the Toys for Tots program distributes 50,000-plus toys each year to local kids in need. This could not be done without the coordinated efforts of many groups and people. The majority of the work is done by the Marine Corps League here in Pierce County Detachment 504.
Man charged in assassination of Eastside gang leader Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist has charged Naitaalii Toleafoa, 18, with Murder in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the First Degree. The defendant participated in a shooting that killed Eastside Lokotes Sureños (ELS) gang leader Juan Zuniga and left Dean Salavea paralyzed. One co-defendant, Juan Ortiz, 20, remains at large. “Our Gang Unit relentlessly pursues justice,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “This is an example of what is meant by, ‘You can run, but you can’t hide.’” On the night of May 11, 2010, the victims were at Zuniga’s residence in Tacoma. Zuniga told Salavea that the defendants were coming over to pay a debt owed to Zuniga. The defendants arrived shortly after midnight and were welcomed into the home. The defendants and victims walked into the attached garage. Within seconds, Ortiz shot Zuniga in the back of the head. Salavea attempted to flee through a side door and was shot in the back. The defendants left through the front door. Investigators determined that the assassination was ordered by
NAITAALII TOLEAFOA
four ELS gang members who were in prison at the time. They did not approve of the way Zuniga was running the gang. All four were charged for their roles in the murder. Three other co-defendants were also charged with Murder in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree for assisting in the planning the murder. They provided Toleafoa and Ortiz with cell phones, transportation to and from the murder, and drove them to Los Angeles so they could catch a bus to Mexico. In December 2012, Toleafoa was extradited from Mexico. Although he was 15-years-old at the time of the murder, Toleafoa will be charged as an adult because of the seriousness of the crime.
Additional help from Crime Stoppers volunteers and financial backing from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians along with 300 individual volunteers, including many members of the Pierce County Sheriff ’s Department, ensure every child gets a new toy for Christmas. Toys for Tots is a mammoth undertaking and is 100 percent volunteer, including a team of women from the Washington State Women’s Correctional Center. They work for a month prior to Christmas in a cold warehouse with no heat or other amenities to make sure toys are sorted and ready for distribu-
tion. Donated toys are sent to sites throughout Pierce County including the new Elks Club here in Tacoma where members handle the distribution. The toys are given to families identified by DSHS, school counselors and other non-profits vetted by our program to ensure the gifts end up in the hands of kids in need. You can help make sure every child gets a toy this year by donating a new unwrapped toy – without the donations from you, none of this works and kids will go without. So thanks to all of you who continue to support us and give the kids hope.
:<7,9 :(;<9+(@ Get help filing for health coverage
Want insurance coverage beginning Jan. 1? Then come to “Super Saturday” on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 13 organizations throughout the county. The event is just in time for the Dec. 15 deadline. In-person assisters will answer questions and help you enroll at these locations: South Sound Outreach, 1106 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, (253) 593-2111; Community Health Care, East Tanbara Health Center, 1708 E. 44th St., (253) 722-2154; Hilltop Regional Health Center, 1202 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, (253) 722-2154; Lakewood Library, 6300 Wildaire Rd. SW, (253) 847-2304; Planned Parenthood, 1515 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, (206) 320-7610; Planned Parenthood (Puyallup), 702 30th Ave. SW, (206) 3207610; Sea Mar Community Health Care, 2121 S. 19th St., (855) 289-4503; Sea Mar Community Health Care (Puyallup), 10217 125th St. Court E., (855) 289-4503; Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way, (253) 383-3900; Eatonville Family Agency, 305 W. Center St., (360) 832-6805; Brown Tones Productions/HELP, Bethlehem Baptist Church, 4818 Portland Ave., (253) 238-3642; Korean Women’s Association, 123 E. 96th St., (253) 535-4202; AARTH Ministry, Roosevelt Heights Church, 4819 S. 12th St. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department organized the “Super Saturday” event with the support of the participating organizations. The Health Department is one of 10 lead organizations that the Washington Health Benefits Exchange selected to train and coordinate local in-person assisters. Through various community agencies, Pierce County residents can get one-on-one support that will allow those who are not likely to use a website or call center to learn about their options and enroll in health coverage. In October, 6,306 Pierce County residents signed up for health insurance. Of these, 5,786 were Medicaid eligible. Open enrollment continues through March, 2014. Those who are eligible for Medicaid can enroll any time. For more information on getting health insurance, visit www. tpchd.org/healthcarereform.
A man who was seen speeding 50 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone and almost hitting a family in a crosswalk along the 7000 block of Pacific Highway on Dec. 6 faces reckless driving charges. He admitted to the arresting officer that he had smoked marijuana before driving, but the police officer didn’t have backup to process the needed blood test and warrant for the more serious charge. He berated the officer on his way to jail. Booty calls can get complicated when you’re trying to repair a marriage. A man learned that lesson on Dec. 6, when his “ex -girlfriend” paid a visit to his house while his wife was home. The wife, who suspected burglary, called police as the “ex lover” drove away. Officers found the woman and learned she had been living in the house when the husband and wife were separated last summer and had continued to see the man while he was trying to repair his marriage. The man and his girlfriend apparently had “gotten together” the previous week. The man first denied knowing the woman, finally admitted that she was his exgirlfriend but denied the current affair. Police left the case open, since there was no sign of a theft at the house. The girlfriend, however, was arrested for three warrants, including a felony forgery warrant out of Las Vegas. Compiled by Steve Dunkelberger
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Toy Drive
Join Ron & Don from KIRO Radio and Santa & Friends
THIS FRIDAY from 2pm - 7pm at Walmart - 110th & Meridian, South Hill
From now until Christmas, drop off toys at any TAPCO branch or at Steel Creek American Whiskey Co. on Broadway