Collaboration raises funds for Giving Ontario’s Christmas Toy Drive

ONTARIO — Many local children are set to have a brighter Christmas thanks to two generous donations made this week to Giving Ontario’s Christmas Toy Drive.

The organization received a combined $9,100 in “big check” donations, helping fuel its mission to spread holiday cheer to kids across Richland County and beyond.

The Giving Ontario Toy Drive is a collaboration between Ontario Community Events, the Springfield Township Fire Department and The Ontario Center, working together to collect toys and essential items for families in need.

Laborers’ Local 1216 donation

On Wednesday morning, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1216 presented $4,100 to support the toy drive — benefiting children in Richland County and surrounding areas.

Ontario Mayor-elect Josh Bradley joined the celebration to accept the donation.

“I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate all of you doing this,” Bradley said. “It is going to help so many families.”

Bradley also recognized Crystal Tolliver, Operations Manager at The Ontario Center, for her key role in providing the drop-off location.

“Crystal has been a huge help with this,” Bradley said. “If we didn’t have her, we wouldn’t have this location.”

Inside the storefront, toys are sorted by age range — and Bradley noted items for ages 12 and up remain in short supply.

Ontario Recreation Director and OYS Director Kenn Spencer said monetary donations help bridge that gap. He explained when people shop for toy drives, they often think only of younger children.

“Donations like these allow us to purchase items such as gift cards or even PlayStations for the older kids,” he said.

The Mansfield Eagles 336 donation

Later Wednesday evening, the Mansfield Eagles 336 donated $5,000 to the toy drive.

Vice President of the Mansfield Eagles 336 Nathan Sunderland helped to initiate the donation for the Giving Ontario Christmas Toy Drive.

“I believe no child should go without gifts during the holiday season,” Sunderland said.

He noted they have a certain amount of money allotted to them throughout the year from the state, which is how they were able to provide the $5,000 donation.

A growing drive with no cut-off date

Giving Ontario’s Christmas Toy Drive runs through Dec. 18, but its model is unusual — there’s no true deadline.

“We have no timeline; we will do it up until Christmas,” said Ontario Community Events Coordinator Tarin Sturts.

She said many children are asking not only for toys but also for essential items such as hygiene products, socks and underwear.

“To help that end of it makes a huge difference as well,” she said.

Last year, the drive served more than 100 children. This year, Sturts said, the need has already doubled, and services extend beyond just Ontario and Richland County.

“I like that we don’t have a cut-off and we don’t limit it to only Richland County,” Sturts said. “We help anyone who needs it.”

The toy drive originally started with the Springfield Township Fire Department, Sturts said, but the effort eventually outgrew their building — and even outgrew last year’s expanded space.

Now housed inside The Ontario Center, she said the drive has more room than ever. The fire department continues to help with sorting and distribution.

Spencer said the pickup process is designed to help parents preserve the “Christmas magic.” Families arrive, send a text from their car, and they bring the gifts out in black bags, placing them directly into trunks.

“We close the trunk, say ‘Merry Christmas,’ and the kids never even know what is in that trunk,” Spencer said.

How to donate and help

The Giving Ontario Christmas Sorting Store works to make the holiday season brighter for local families.

You can shop directly from their Amazon Wish List where every item comes straight from a child’s personal wish list. The QR code on their flyers link directly to the list.

Gifts can also be purchased by selecting a family from the Wish Tree, which is located in front of their store inside The Ontario Center at 2209 Richland Mall.

After selecting a family, the gifts can be dropped off at any of the locations listed below:

• Ontario Center Box by the tree or security office
• Springfield Township Fire Department (Station 1 located at 3700 Park Avenue West and Station 2 located at 400 South Lexington-Springmill Road)
• My Pro, The Cove, Once Upon A Child
• Amazon will deliver straight to The Giving Ontario Christmas Toy Drive Sorting Store

(Photos of The Giving Ontario toy store location. Credit: Hannah Martin)