By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
Participants in a community toy drive are calling on volunteers and shopping elves to help make kids’ Christmas wishes come true.
Each year, the Reynoldsburg Toys for Kids drive collects toys for children in the Reynoldsburg City School District. The event, sponsored by the Truro Township Fire Department, is a separate toy drive than the annual Toys for Tots event sponsored by Columbus area fire departments and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Those who would like to donate can shop for toys and drop them off at either Truro Township fire station, 6900 E. Main St. or 6305 E. Livingston Ave., said Mary Burcham, the project administrator. Check and cash donations are also welcome, and are used to purchase gift cards for older children in the family who have outgrown the toy stage but still enjoy celebrating Christmas with their families.
TS Tech in Reynoldsburg also will hold a toy drive among employees to donate to the Reynoldsburg Toys for Kids event. Staff members are encouraged to donate new and unwrapped toys, gift cards or cash and check donations, Burcham said.
For those who need assistance, Burcham said applications and criteria for eligibility are now available at the Main Street and Livingston Avenue fire stations. Applications will be collected from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 10 and from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Main Street station.
Burcham will contact approved applicants with a date and time for toy pick up.
Check donations should be made out to “Reynoldsburg Toys for Kids.” For more information, call (614) 204-6634 or email marybsdfs@yahoo.com.
Fill the Cruiser 2017
The Reynoldsburg Division of Police is hosting a toy drive as well to ensure no child is left out this holiday season.
The department is organizing a “Fill the Cruiser” event to help Toys for Tots collect new, unwrapped toys for less fortunate children in central Ohio. Organizers also are collecting LEGO sets to continue Super Braxton’s legacy.
Earlier this year, 8-year-old Braxton Long died from glioblastoma. As he battled the brain tumor, he collected hundreds of LEGO sets for patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The police department will collect toys and LEGO sets now through Dec. 20 at the department, located at 7240 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg.
