2013 Christmas for Kids toy drive kicks off

Donations of new, unwrapped gifts are collected in the barrels and will be used to stock the Toy Cottage in downtown Dayton, where parents and foster parents can choose items for their children.

Editor’s note: This is the third of multiple stories in the “A Season of Giving” series, which highlights Wright State’s commitment to the community during the holidays.

Festive, colorfully wrapped barrels are popping up around the Dayton campus as part of the annual Christmas for Kids toy drive.

Every year, Wright State works with Montgomery and Greene County Children Services and associated organizations to collect gifts for Dayton-area families in need.

“I’m honored to be a part of this project and thrilled to be able to see first hand the joy of giving from our wonderful Wright State community,” said Annette McCoy, marketing coordinator for Wright State’s Office of Communications and Marketing. “The generosity of Wright State faculty, staff and students has made an incredible difference for so many children.”

Donations of new, unwrapped gifts are collected in the barrels. Toys and gifts for children 0-17 will be used to stock the Toy Cottage in downtown Dayton. The Toy Cottage is managed by FLOC (For Love of Children), volunteers who are passionate about caring for neglected, abused and foster care children in the Montgomery County community. Essential items collected in the barrels for children 17-21 will be turned over to Choices, Inc. to support foster children who are transitioning out of foster care into an independent living program.

Beth Mann, president of the FLOC board, said there are more than 5,000 children in the Dayton area who are neglected, abused or in foster care. “In offering Christmas to children who would be living a sad and empty holiday, you not only offer the gift of giving, you offer that gift of hope,” Mann said.

Donations for the Christmas for Kids toy drive at Wright State increased again last year in part because of broader participation.

Greene County Children Services keeps a list from which donors can pick a child or family to “adopt” for the holidays. Donors will receive wish lists from their adoptees.

Helen Williams, CARES unit coordinator at Greene County Children Services, said Wright State has a huge impact on the success of the program.

“We really appreciate Wright State’s spirit of giving, and the children and families appreciate it too,” Williams said.

If you’re interested in donating, items should be dropped off in the donation barrels by noon on Friday, Dec.12. Barrels are located in:

182 Student Union (bookstore)

115 Medical Sciences (Human Resources)

160 University Hall (College of Nursing and Health)

116 Allyn Hall (Educational Resource Center)

023 Dunbar Library (Center for Teaching and Learning)

If you’re interested in adopting a child or family for the holidays, contact Annette McCoy at (937) 912-0635 for donation information. Gifts for these families must be dropped off by noon on Friday, Dec. 13, at 4035 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Suite 300.

No time to shop? Monetary donations are also welcome. Please contact Annette McCoy at 937-912-0635.

Gift Suggestions for Collection Barrels include:

Gift suggestions for ages 0-17:

• Sporting goods
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards
• Arts/crafts sets
• Baseball hats
• NFL, MLB, NBA apparel
• Wallets
• Hip hop CDs
• Grooming kits
• Perfumes, colognes
• Jewelry and accessories
• Board games
• Handheld games
• Barbies, Bratz, Polly Pockets
• Baby dolls
• Star Wars, Batman, Spiderman
• Remote control cars
• Educational baby toys
• Talking/singing toys
• Legos
• Books

Essential item suggestions for ages 17-21 transitioning from foster care to independent living:

• Toilet paper
• Kitchen utensils*
• Dish soap
• Bars of soap
• Dish towels or washcloths
• Drinking cups (not glass)
• Kitchen sponges (with abrasive side)
• Cleaning products**
• Place settings
• Rolls of paper towels
• Bottles of laundry detergent
• Sturdy laundry basket

*Variety of storage containers, measuring cups/spoons, spatulas, paring knife, stirring, spoons, can opener, peeler etc.

**Pledge, Windex, 409, trash bags, toilet brush, toilet cleaner etc.