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Children Services
hosting holiday toy drive
By Kevin Milliken for La Prensa
Dec. 3, 2011: Lucas County Children Services (LCCS)
enlisted the help of one of Toledo’s most popular morning radio
teams Saturday in its effort to make the holidays brighter for
foster and adopted kids under the agency’s care or supervision.
101.5 The River’s Mary Beth Zolik
and Rick Woodell broadcasted live from the Burger King
restaurant across from Westfield Franklin Park, encouraging the
public to drop by and “Give the Best Gift Ever” to a child in
need. The effort coincided with the annual LCCS Holiday Gift
Drive. While out shopping, listeners were encouraged to donate
an unwrapped toy or gift card for a child who has been abused or
neglected.
Julie Malkin,
LCCS public information officer stated the agency would serve
1,500-2,000 children by Christmas. The greatest unmet needs
involve toys for kids between newborn and three years old and
gift cards for teens. This is the fourth year the broadcast team
has assisted the holiday toy drive by donating their on-air
time.
“We have to, unfortunately. Every year, the need is greater,”
said Ms. Zolik. “Some of these kids, actually most of these
kids, are going to wake up on Christmas morning with
nothing—just because the families are so dysfunctional and
things aren’t happening along the right path. It’s supposed to
be for the kids, but we end up feeling better for it as well.”
“For somebody who has been going through a tough time and is not
even able to pay the light bill, Christmas has got to be a very
depressing time,” said Woodell. “That’s what bothers me the
most—when you have to decide between Christmas and the light
bill, so we’re here to try to relieve some of that burden. LCCS
is seeing more domestic violence situations because of the high
stress levels. That’s what happens and that’s unfortunate.”
“This means so much. Their visibility really helps us get the
word out,” said Ms. Malkin. “Their folks come out. We know that.
Their regular listeners come in. There are a couple of nuns who
come in every single year because they’re Mary Beth and Rick
fans.”
More than half of the children currently being served by LCCS
are under the age of five. Ms. Malkin explained the numbers are
fluid, because abuse and neglect cases tend to increase
dramatically during the holiday season.
Among the LCCS caseload, 12 percent of the children served are
Latino. Three of every five kids are a minority. The children
being served by LCCS are equally split between boys and girls.
The drive provides gifts for children
living with their families under LCCS supervision, or who are
living with relatives in order to be safe.
“The need is still there and it’s important the community knows
that our kids need something,” said Ms. Malkin. “There are a lot
of kids in this community who need support. Our kids have been
through a little more than most.”
“It’s so simple. Walk into just about any store anymore and they’re
doing a buy two, get one free sale,” said Ms. Zolik. “For anyone
wondering whether they can afford it, we will take anything:
books, monetary donations. When all is said and done, you’re
going to feel a whole lot better about it.”
“In 2011, we’ve seen abuse and neglect cases continue in Lucas
County,” said Sherry Dunn, LCCS public information
specialist and campaign coordinator. “Family stress is a big
factor in child abuse and neglect, and the recent reports of
increased poverty and economic hardship in Lucas County coincide
with the steady number of reports of suspected child abuse. We
want to make sure that kids who have been through these tough
times have something to be happy about this holiday season.”
“We are hoping that with the awareness our partners will bring
to this campaign, Toledo-area residents will open their hearts
and help us reach our goal of providing toys to all of the
children in need,” said Clare Armbruster, president of
Friends of Lucas County Children Services.
Additionally, the Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 4940 Monroe
St., has designated the LCCS Holiday Gift Drive as the recipient
of its 2011 holiday book donation campaign, which encourages
customers to purchase books to be donated to the gift drive.
Residents also are encouraged to drop a new, unwrapped toy in
the collection boxes located around the community:
• Allshred Services, 3940 Technology Drive,
Maumee;
• Banner Mattress and Furniture locations;
• All Toledo-area Burger King restaurants;
• Buckeye CableSystem bill payment centers;
• Woodcraft, 5311 Airport Highway, Toledo.
The LCCS
Holiday Gift Drive
runs through Dec. 15. Anyone interested in donating can find
more information at the agency’s website
www.lucaskids.net or on its Facebook page: Give the Best
Gift Ever: 2011 LCCS Holiday Gift Drive.
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