Donation sought for children toy drive

FOSTORIA --- For many children, there is no greater feeling than waking up on Christmas morning and tearing the wrapping paper off a shiny new toy. With that in mind, local organizers have joined forces again for the 20th annual "A Christmas for Every Child." "A Christmas for Every Child" collects new toys for Fostoria children whose families may not be able to afford presents for the biggest gift-giving day of the year. Under the program, Fostoria City Schools, the Geary Family YMCA and Kaubisch Memorial Public Library work together with the Marine Corp Toys for Tots to collect and distribute toys to children throughout Fostoria. "We are excited to get back to our normal set up for distribution, where parents are able to pick out toys, which hasn't happened since before COVID(-19)," said Amber Herbert, one of the program organizers. The last three years, parents picked up a bag of toys that were selected for them. From now until Dec. 11, new toys can be dropped off at one of several locations throughout the city where "A Christmas for Every Child" Toys for Tots boxes is located. Those locations include: in Fostoria, American Legion Post 73, AMVETS Post 69, Big Bear Muffler, Dollar General, Downtown ReEvented, Eye Centers of Northwest Ohio, the Geary Family YMCA, Huntington Bank, Java's Enchanted Bean, Kaubisch Memorial Public Library, KeyBank, Old Fort Bank, Pantry Plus of Seneca County, Premier Bank, ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, Superior Credit Union; and, in Bettsville, Legion Post 733, Dollar General and Old Fort Bank. "Being able to spread a little joy through the holidays is a win for everyone and 'A Christmas for Every Child' is a great way to bring the community together to support one another and make a difference in the lives of all involved," Fostoria City Schools Superintendent Andrew Sprang said. "The satisfaction of being able to donate and support the cause, all the way to the smiles and joy for the kids when they are able to receive a gift during the holidays, is second to none." Donated toys will be organized and set up as a temporary toy store in December at the Geary Family YMCA, where parents can shop for gifts. Families who qualify through the school will be given a time to go to the toy store. This year, the school sent out information electronically to parents of students in pre-K through sixth grade about "A Christmas for Every Child." "Fostoria is a very generous community when there is a need and the toy drive is no exception to this," Kaubisch Memorial Public Library Director Scott Scherf said. "It's amazing to see parents come to the tory store and pick out toys to give to their child for Christmas. That alone makes 'A Christmas for Every Child' worthwhile every year." In partnership with "A Christmas for Every Child," the Fostoria Kiwanis Club is looking to once again put books in the hands of local youth this Christmas. The club will be collecting new books for children ages 2 through12 that will be distributed during the toy giveaway. A Christmas for Every Child began 20 years ago with the purpose of providing Christmas presents to every child in need in Fostoria. In conjunction with Toys for Tots, the organization now has a 501(c)3 status. This allows donors the opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation. Checks can be made out to the Geary Family YMCA (also a 501(c)3 organization) or Toys for Tots with "Fostoria Christmas for Every Child" written in the memo line and dropped off at the Geary Family YMCA. Cash donations may also be dropped off at the YMCA during regular business hours. Money will be used to purchase additional toys in age groups that may not have as many toys donated. The annual toy drive helped more than 500 children experience the magic of unwrapping a gift on Christmas last year. Herbert said she hopes "A Christmas for Every Child" will be able to collect enough toys to ensure every eligible Fostoria child has a gift this Christmas. "I realize Christmas isn't just about gifts, but it does add something extra special for these kids and helps bring alive the magic of Christmas," Herbert said. "When times are tough, that magic can dim, but it is our hope to keep that magic alive in the hearts of all those we serve." Herbert said the magic can only come to life with the community's help. "I am continually amazed at the generosity Fostoria and area residents have for the needs of the community," Herbert said. "I am praying they will come through again and step up as they always do and meet the need, as they always have."