Immediate Release
October 14, 2009
Batavia, Ohio. Can you sponsor a child this holiday season? The Clermont County Community Toy Chest is looking for sponsors to provide gifts to 315 children who are in the care of the Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services. “The children range in age from birth to 18 and we have wish lists to give sponsors to help them make purchases,” said Sanna Gast with the Community Toy Chest. “This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, church groups, and businesses to join forces and make the holidays a little brighter for these children.”
Sponsors are given the child’s first name and age, his/her sizes, and items that are on the child’s wish list; each sponsor is also assigned a number that is to be used with the child’s name when the gift is wrapped. Packages can either be delivered to Clermont County Children’s Protective Services offices, located at 2400 Clermont Center Drive in Batavia, or you can call (513) 732-7264 to arrange to have someone pick up the items.
“We have the biggest need for sponsors of children between the ages of 12 and 18,” said Gast. “Examples of gifts that would be appreciated for the older age group are: video games, and gift certificates or gift cards to local stores.”
If you do not have the time to shop for a gift, but would still like to help a child, checks can be made payable to the Community Toy Chest. These donations will be used to purchase gifts for children who are not sponsored, or who come into county care close to the holidays. “Please remember that the need to help these children is year round,” said Gast. “You can donate new items for birthdays, special events, and other times, to help a child get through a difficult period in his/her young life.”
If you are interested in sponsoring a child this holiday season, contact Sanna Gast at (513) 732-7264. Monetary donations (checks only) can be mailed to: Community Toy Chest, 2400 Clermont Center Drive (Suite 206C), Batavia, Ohio 45103. All wrapped gifts must be received at Clermont Children’s Protective Services office by December 8, 2009 to ensure they can be delivered in time for Christmas.
“Thanks, in advance, for everything you can do to help us help the children,” added Gast.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.