LOVELAND, OHIO - ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY STORE - YOUR CHANCE TO HELP

LOVELAND, OHIO - The Loveland Initiative (Formally the Shalom Initiative) will once again host the 9th Annual Christmas Toy Store. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, especially for children. With their annual Toy Store they make it just as wonderful for low-income parents.

Toys and gifts that are donated to the Toy Store from the community, can be purchased at penny-on-the-dollar discounts. This helps parents feel they are contributing to their child’s Christmas while enabling the parents to choose items based on their child’s individual interests and needs.

The Loveland Initiative is committed to using the money raised by the Toy Store for the betterment of the same children and families in Loveland. The past 4 years the money raised has solely been used for the Tracy Johnson Scholarship Fund which assists a student to further his or her education. Terri Rogers, President of the Initiative said, "We are very proud that eleven college scholarships have been awarded to Loveland graduates." Each year they award a $1500 scholarship. "We feel one of the ways to empower people is through education and it is the way to break the cycle of poverty. Without you, we can not offer to help these children."

The Loveland initiative has operated a Community Resource Center from a converted Town House at the Westover Village Apartment complex for almost a decade.

More than two-hundred children from low-income families in the Loveland area will receive gifts purchased at the Toy Store. Each family will sign up (Pre-register and financially qualify) for a specific shopping slot and they will be able to purchase approximately 3-5 gifts per child. Parents and Grandparents come into a store staffed by volunteers with tables marked by price, to purchase items from fifty-cents to $5 per gift.

The 9th Annual Christmas Toy Store will be held at the Loveland Fireman’s Bingo Hall, 116 Karl Brown Way on Friday December 17th 2004. They will be accepting donations of NEW UNWRAPPED toys and gifts for children, preteens and teens. (See attached suggested gift list).    Please drop off donated toys and gifts at the Loveland Center, 787 West Main St. (Westover Village Apartments) starting November 1st through December 15th. They can also make arrangements to pick up gifts. In addition to gifts, they always need volunteers for pick-up, wrapping, displays and transportation. "We are confident that our community will once again come together to help the children and families in Loveland," said Lil Lane, the Initiative's Coordinator of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Resource Center.

Please print this suggested gift list and take it on a shopping trip.

Download suggested_gift_list.html

For information:

Terri Rogers  677-1057  trogers7@cinci.rr.com
Lill Lane   774-7878   lily39@fuse.net