19 Days before Christmas...
WTUZ
Monday, at around 4:40pm, firefighters from multiple departments were dispatched to the Toys for Tots warehouse, in Carroll County (Ohio), for a confirmed structure fire. The extent of the damage created a total loss of all items, says Coordinator Bob Stratton.
The Local community is asked even more so now to help by showing up to Tuscora Park, this Sunday, December 12th, from 1pm to 3pm, to donate new toys or provide a monetary donation. Simpson Heating and Cooling have pledged to match all toy donations.
Also as a way to help, the Ohio campaign is asking for folks to donate funds on their website, www.toysfortotsohio.com, enter the campaign designation of OH-Sherrodsville, and that will then go to the local program to repurchase toys.
A total loss...
News 5 Cleveland
Approximately $8,000 worth of toys for Tuscarawas County children was destroyed in a building fire Monday night in Carroll County, Toys for Tots coordinator Robert Stratton confirmed to News 5.
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"Must have been a 40-50 mph winds right at the wrong time and they just fanned the flames," Stratton added.
Stratton said a trailer load of toys due for delivery Tuesday will be sent to the Calvary Methodist Church, where a makeshift operation is quickly being set up.
"We’re going to go ahead with Toys for Tots," Stratton said. "Last year, we did 3,000 kids and we’re going to do the same this year."
Every little bit helps...
Wikipedia
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks.[2]
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity located in Triangle, Virginia, serves to fund, raise funds for, and support the program.
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In 1991, the Secretary of Defense authorized the creation and affiliation with the nonprofit charity foundation. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.[6]
Noting in 1996 that many communities did not have a Marine reservist presence, the commander of the Marine Forces Reserve authorized Marine Corps League detachments and other local organizations to fill the gaps in toy collection and distribution.[6]
In 2009, the program received support from First Lady Michelle Obama, who placed the first collection box at the White House.[7] In December 2011, she took part in a Toys for Tots activity at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.