SUFFIELD TWP: Area residents have the chance to see something few communities are privileged to host: Santa Claus waving from the Goodyear blimp, docked in a festively decorated hangar.The price of admission is a toy for a needy child.In arguably one of the most unusual Toys for Tots drop-off locations in the country, donors can drive through the Wingfoot Lake hangar and hand their gift to a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves before continuing past a bellowing Santa as he waves from the gondola of the neon-flashing Spirit of Goodyear.The hangar itself is spotless, a fresh coat of glossy gray paint reflecting the Christmas lights throughout the building.The 21 crew members of the blimp have donned red hats to greet visitors as they enter through 120-foot-tall doors and drive between animated decorations, inflatables and a large triangular-shaped mast made to look like a Christmas tree.Goodyear blimp operations spokesman Ed Ogden came up last year with the idea of hosting the Toys for Tots campaign, an American tradition since 1948.In two days, 1,700 cars went through, dropping off 3,762 new, unwrapped toys and $2,239 in cash.An extra day was added to the event this year. It opened Friday and will continue 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The hangar is at 841 Wingfoot Lake Road, off state Route 43.Following in the Suffield operation’s footsteps, similar events are being staged at Goodyear blimp bases in Pompano Beach, Fla., and Carson, Calif.The local hangar crew threw itself behind the idea, said assistant chief pilot Michael Dougherty. The decorations were purchased by or loaned from the collections of the crew.Planning started two months ago, and the crew spent an entire shift putting it all together.“I didn’t expect it to be so elaborate,” admitted Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin Lenahan of Cleveland, who volunteered to help the campaign this year. He was among several Marines accepting the toys and handing out souvenirs to drivers, including a cut-out of the blimp from authentic blimp material.Larry and Jackie Weimer made the trek from Walton Hills, north of Summit County, on Friday after hearing about the campaign. “We thought it would be an interesting trip, we’d donate a toy for a kid and do some good in life,” Larry Weimer said. Besides, he added, his wife is a “blimp person” and this was a rare chance for her to see an airship up close.“It would be worth bringing children through here to see it,” he said.That’s what Denny and Kathy Mishler of Tallmadge thought, too. They were accompanied by their 2-year-old granddaughter, Payton Dickens.“We usually only get to see the blimp from the other side of the lake,” Denny Misher said, referring to Wingfoot Lake State Park, opposite the hangar.Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.