by Terri Rogers
Like most adults, thoughts of the holiday season bring images of spending time with family and friends to mind. If you ask a child to describe the holidays you will hear many talk about family and friends, but you will always hear every child mention presents. As adults we know the true meaning of the holidays. We know it is a time to celebrate family, faith, and friends. To children it is a time for decorations, songs, and gifts.
While the holiday may not be about gifts, the Loveland Initiative Christmas Toy Store is about more than just Barbie, G.I. Joe, and games. The program was established to operate, not only so that low income residents could provide education dollars to those that have the most difficulty affording educational opportunities beyond high school, but also so that the moms and dads who shop at our Toy Store have a sense of dignity that they are “buying” the gifts for their children and grandchildren, not receiving a hand out, and so are contributing to something greater than ourselves.
The Loveland Initiative Christmas Toy Store may seem like it is focused on presents, but the proceeds provide funds for scholarships to students within the Loveland community. The Tracy Johnson L. Scholarship awards one thousand five hundred dollars to a student with financial need in Loveland. To date we have awarded 22 college scholarships to Loveland High School graduates. Now that sounds like the true holiday spirit to me!
The 23rd Annual Christmas Toy Store’s location and date is still to be determined. Please check out our website, lovelandinitiative.org, for more information about us. Also, “like” our Facebook page to stay up to date! There is a wonderful video from WLWT on the page from the 2017 Christmas Toy Store. Check it out to see what the Christmas Toy Store is all about.
We will be accepting donations of NEW, UNWRAPPED toys and gifts for children, pre-teens and teens. (See attached suggested gift list). Gift cards and monetary donations are also greatly appreciated.
Please drop off donations at Marcos Pizza 920 Loveland Madeira Rd Sunday – Thursday 11am-10pm and Friday – Saturday 11am to 12 midnight. We can also make arrangements to pick up gifts.
In addition to gifts, we always need volunteers for pick-up, displays and transportation. We are confident that our community will once again pull together to help the children and the families in Loveland.
Please feel free to contact Project Leaders Mary Hensley [email protected] or the Executive Director Terri Rogers 513-739-2354/ [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of The Loveland Initiative
Download this printable Shopping List:
