TOLEDO, Ohio — With Thanksgiving in the rearview, the holiday season is officially upon us.
That marks another year for of a former city of Toledo water and sanitation worker doing what it takes to support children in northwest Ohio.
Mike Kimble retired earlier this year. During his time with the city of Toledo, he and others created the Joys of Toy Drive.
This year, Kimble, his partner Cinda Bachar and his team are back at it.
"These children, they don't have anything," Kimble said. "The worst thing that I know of is (to) wake up on Christmas Day with nothing."
Kimble said he had woken up to no toys under the tree at Christmas when he was younger, so he understands the importance of their work.
The drive is already underway and there are several ways to donate.
The group is working with Buff City Soap for one fundraiser. The store is donating 20% of its sales on Monday, Dec. 2. That offer runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
La Fiesta is also hosting a fundraiser for the toy drive. It will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the Maumee location and Wednesday, Dec. 11 at the Sylvania location. The dine-to-donate initiative runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. for each location. There are also special meal and margarita deals. You must mention the Joys of Toys toy drive to participate.
The Joys of Toys toy drive supports WTOL 11's Gift of Joy sponsored by PNC, which benefits Toledo-area children who are in special need of holiday cheer. The drive provides gifts for children living in foster care, with relatives or with their families under Lucas County Children Services supervision.
Kimble and his team also sell tickets for a raffle. All of the money raised from those sales are used to buy toys that are then donated to Lucas County Children Services.
You can purchase tickets through Venmo or CashApp using the QR codes below or by calling Kimble or Bachar directly. Make sure to include your name.
Prizes for the raffle include:
- A seven-day stay in a condo anywhere in the continental United States
- Two $11 Target gift cards
- $50 Spicy Tuna gift card
- Two gift cards for a dinner for two at Bubba's 33
- $20 gift card for the Healthy Panther
- 60 minute session at Massage Envy
- Two free entrees at Texas Roadhouse
- Wine basket from Holloway Beverage Center
- Beer box
- $50 gift card and sample box from Tony Packo's
- Gift card to House of Meats
Click here for a list of drop off locations for WTOL 11's Gift of Joy toy drive.
