An annual toy drive spearheaded by an area teen that has brought joy to numerous patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital through thousands of toy donations is gearing up for another year of special deliveries for patients who must spend time at the Columbus hospital during the Christmas season.
DeGraff area resident Tyler Slaven said the fifth annual Ohio Virtual Academy Agricultural Society toy drive is currently accepting donations through Saturday, Dec. 14, at drop box locations around Logan County and the surrounding counties. While the toy drive set a donation record last year for Nationwide Children’s Hospital with 9,224 toy donations, Slaven said this year, the group is aiming at an even greater goal.
“This year we have set the goal of meeting a total of 18,448 toy for the children, which would be exactly double the donation size we received last year. This is certainly a very significant amount of toys; however, with God’s leading guidance, the great generosity of the community, and a little bit of hard work; anything is possible.”
To help achieve that goal, special toy drive activities kick off this weekend in conjunction with the collection effort and coincide Friday, Dec. 6, with the Bellefontaine Hometown Christmas Parade festivities.
The Ohio Virtual Academy and Dorcey’s Flowers partner for the event, Dorcey’s Mistletoe Market, at the Photo Booth, 119 W. Chillicothe Ave., Bellefontaine, beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, where families can visit multiple vendors for Christmas shopping. There is a $10 entry fee from 4 to 6 p.m., but that is waived if participants take a toy donation.
Following the parade, participants also will have the opportunity between 6 and 9 p.m. to take pictures with Santa Claus.
The event continues from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. From 8 to 9 a.m., a free pancake/waffle breakfast is offered for each person who takes at least one toy donation.
“Our goal is to fill Santa’s sleigh with toys at the event,” Slaven said.
The group is accepting any non-violent, new toys that do not need to be wrapped for all ages of children and teens. Suggestions for “hospital boredom busters” include: infants — rattles, teethers, stacking cups, plastic links, crib mirrors, musical or light-up toys; preschool — crayons and coloring books, Play-Doh, puzzles, bubbles, books, board games, dolls; school age — books, games, playing cards, LEGO sets, bead sets, craft sets, ink kits, paint supplies; teens — drawing supplies, latch hook, model kits, word searches, nail polish.
Drop box locations for the new toys to be collected through Saturday, Dec. 14, include:
• Dorcey’s Flower Shop, 125 W. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine;
• Walmart of Bellefontaine 2281 S. U.S. Route 68, Bellefontaine;
• The Fun Company – Education Station, 136 S. Main St., Bellefontaine;
• RISE Bakehouse (Main Street Marketplace) 130 S. Main St. Suite 111, Bellefontaine;
• Marmon Valley Farm, 7754 S. State Route 292, Zanesfield;
• Steve’s Market and Deli, 300 Cretcher Ave., DeGraff;
• Buckeye State Bank, 101 N Main St., DeGraff;
• Dorcey’s Flower Shop, 108 N. Detroit St., West Liberty;
• Lakeview Hardware Home Center, 8793 Township Road 239, Lakeview;
• Community Markets, 8793 Township Road 239, Lakeview; and
• Peaches Herbs and Flowers, 180 S. Main St., Lakeview.
All of the toys will be taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sunday, Dec. 15.
Slaven said Lane’s Lube Express is donating the use of a U-Haul to transport the toys to the hospital again this year.