Lucas Co. Children Services kicks off 2019 Holiday Gift Drive

        With the holiday season almost upon us, Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is once again asking area residents to “Give the Gift of Joy.”
        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 3,000 children who are victims of abuse and neglect. Gift collection begins Monday, Nov. 25, and runs through Dec. 20.
        The drive provides gifts for children living in foster care, with relatives or with their families under LCCS supervision.
        “The children of Lucas County continue to face challenges,” said Robin Reese, LCCS executive director. “Abuse and neglect continue to rise, in no small part to the incidence of substance abuse in our community. Giving these children a reason to smile at the holiday season is really important. Lucas County residents have been very generous in the past, and we hope they will continue that tradition of giving,”
        The drive provides gifts for children from birth to age 18. While we are seeking gifts for all age groups, the agency is in particular need of items 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; The Countertop Shop; DANA Corporation; Franklin Park Mall; Toledo Auto Care; and Woodcraft.
        Local residents are encouraged to drop a new, unwrapped toy in the collection boxes located around the community. 
        • All Toledo-area Burger King restaurants, including Northwood, Oregon and Toledo.
        • Cutting Edge Countertops, 1300 Flagship Dr., Perrysburg.
        • Allshred Services, 3940 Technology Drive in Maumee.
        • The Countertop Shop, 9300 Airport Hwy.
        • Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe Street, Toledo (pick an ornament from the wish trees).
        • La-Z-Boy Furniture stores, 5804 Airport Hwy. and 5173 Monroe St. in Toledo.
        • Toledo Auto Care, 4544 Monroe St. and 5329 Heatherdowns, Toledo.
        • Woodcraft, 5311 Airport Highway, Toledo.
        • WTOL studios, 730 N. Summit St., Toledo.
        • All Toledo-area Yark Automotive Group locations.
        • Additionally, the Barnes & Noble Booksellers at 4940 Monroe St. in Toledo has again designated the LCCS Holiday Gift Drive as the recipient of its 2019 holiday book donation campaign, which encourages customers to purchase books to be donated to the gift drive.
        Several special events are being scheduled to encourage Toledo-area residents to support the gift drive:
        • Hensville Tree Lighting – Visitors to the downtown Hensville tree lighting on Monroe Street on Saturday, Nov. 23, are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy at one of the donation stations in the Hensville/St. Clair St. corridor.
        • Toy-A-Thon – On Saturday, Dec. 7, iHeartMedia radio stations will host the 2019 Toy-A-Thon in the Food Court of Franklin Park Mall, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The effort will collect new, unwrapped toys; clothes and monetary donations to help LCCS children and families celebrate the holidays.
        • Downtown Toy Drop – On Thursday, Dec. 12, WTOL will host its second annual “Downtown Toy Drop” in its parking lot at 730 North Summit St. from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. WSPD will also broadcast live throughout the day. Everyone is encouraged to drive through and donate a new, unwrapped toy to the LCCS drive.
        • “Shred for a Toy” Day – On Saturday, Dec. 14, 101.5 The River morning show host Rick Woodell will continue the tradition of broadcasting live from the Burger King at 4870 Monroe St. (across from Franklin Park Mall) from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Allshred Services will be on hand to provide free shredding for up to five bags or boxes of paper documents for those who donate a new, unwrapped toy.