TOLEDO, Nov. 20, 2023: The Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is asking area residents to “Give the Gift of Joy” this holiday season. The annual Holiday Gift Drive 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 is underway and runs through December 20, 2023.
The drive provides gifts for children living in foster care, with relatives or with their families under LCCS supervision. “The economy and inflation have had a huge impact on children and families,” says Randy Muth, 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 LCCS is 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; La-Z-Boy; and Yark Automotive Group. Other partners include: AccuShred; Barnes & Noble Toledo; Habitec; Franklin Park Mall; Toledo Auto Care; and Owens Corning.
Collection boxes are available at LCCS’ offices at 705 Adams St., downtown Toledo, or at numerous spots affiliated with its partners:
All Toledo-area BURGER KING® restaurants in Holland, Maumee, Northwood, Oregon, Toledo, and Lambertville, Mich; Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St.; 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; also, Auto Care, 10829 Logan St., Whitehouse; all Toledo-area Yark Automotive Group locations; WTOL studios, 730 N. Summit St., Toledo.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers at 4940 Monroe Street has again selected LCCS as the recipient of its 2023 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:
Toy-A-Thon, December 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Franklin Park Mall: iHeartMedia radio stations WRVF and WVKS will host their 2022 Toy-A-Thon. They will be collecting new, unwrapped toys; clothes; and monetary donations to help children and families served by LCCS.
Downtown Gift Drop, December 7, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., WTOL parking lot, 730 North Summit St. (enter on Walnut St.). The public is invited to drive through and donate a new, unwrapped toy. WTOL on-air personalities will be accepting your donations, and Santa is rumored to be making an appearance.
Shred for a Toy, December 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the BURGER KING®, 4870 Monroe Street (across from Franklin Park Mall): AccuShred will provide free shredding for up to five bags or boxes of paper documents when you donate a new, unwrapped toy or make a cash donation. 101.5 The River morning show host Rick Woodell will continue the tradition of broadcasting live from 10 a.m. to noon.