Annual Campaign “Gives the Best Gift Ever” to 2,000 Lucas County Children
The holiday season is almost upon us, and Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is once again asking area residents to “Give the Gift of Joy” this holiday season!
The agency is kicking off its annual Holiday Gift Drive, which is co-sponsored by the Friends of Lucas County Children Services (FLCCS), WTOL-TV 11, iHeartMedia, and several community partners. The community-based campaign is expected to provide gifts to as many as 2,000 children who are victims of abuse and neglect. Gift collection begins November 18 and runs through December 22, 2021.
The drive provides gifts for children living in foster care, with relatives or with their families under LCCS supervision. “The pandemic has had a huge impact on children and families,” says Robin Reese, LCCS executive director. “The ‘normalcy’ of having gifts to open at the holiday season will be more important than ever, and is consistent with our mission of leading the community in the protection of children.”
The drive provides gifts for children from birth to age 18. While we are seeking gifts for all age groups, the agency particularly needs gifts for children of all ethnic groups who are newborn to 3 years old, and gift cards for teenagers.
Several generous community partners are again stepping up to support the gift drive. Key sponsors include PNC Bank; Bennett Management Corp., a franchisee of BURGER KING Corporation; La-Z-Boy and Yark Automotive Group. Other partners include Allshred Services; Barnes & Noble Toledo; DANA Corporation; Franklin Park Mall; Toledo Auto Care; Owens Corning, and Woodcraft. Collection boxes are available at LCCS’ offices at 705 Adams St., downtown Toledo, or:
* All Toledo-area BURGER KING restaurants in Holland, Maumee, Northwood, Oregon, Toledo, and Lambertville, Mich.
* Civil & Environmental Consultants, 4841 Monroe St., Toledo
* Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St., Toledo (pick an ornament from the wish trees)
* La-Z-Boy Furniture stores, 5804 Airport Hwy. and 5173 Monroe St., Toledo.
* Toledo Auto Care, 4544 Monroe St., 5329 Heatherdowns Blvd., and at B&L Whitehouse Auto Care, 10829 Logan St., Whitehouse.
* Woodcraft, 5311 Airport Highway, Toledo.
* All Toledo-area Yark Automotive Group locations.
* WTOL studios, 730 N. Summit St., Toledo (during regular business hours).
Barnes & Noble Booksellers at 4940 Monroe Street in Toledo has again selected LCCS as the recipient of its 2021 holiday book donation campaign, which encourages customers to purchase books to be donated to the gift drive.
Other events are planned to support the gift drive:
Community Bike Build
November 28, 10 a.m., at the Jerusalem Township Fire Dept., 9501 Jerusalem Rd., (SR 2): Area firefighters and other invited volunteers will assemble bikes that will be given to children served by LCCS. JTFD, Toledo Firefighters Local #92, and others raised the money for Friends of LCCS to purchase bicycles at a discount from the Oregon Meijer.
Shred for a Toy
December 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the BURGER KING®, 4870 Monroe Street (across from Franklin Park Mall): Allshred Services will provide free shredding for up to five bags or boxes of paper documents when you donate a new, unwrapped toy. 101.5 The River morning show host Rick Woodell will continue the tradition of broadcasting live from 10 a.m. to noon.
Give the Best Gift Ever
December 9, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., WTOL parking lot, 730 North Summit St. (enter on Walnut St.): “Give the Best Gift Ever” drive-through donation event. The public is invited to drive through this COVID-safe event and donate a new, unwrapped toy. WTOL on-air personalities will be accepting your donations.
Toy-A-Thon
December 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Franklin Park Mall, Sylvania Ave. parking lot (just east of Talmadge Rd.): iHeartMedia radio stations WRVF and WVKS will host their 2021 Toy-A-Thon. They will be collecting new, unwrapped toys; clothes; and monetary donations to help children and families served by LCCS. ##