What started as an idea in OhioHealth Marion General Hospital’s Physical and Occupational Therapy department has spread into a community-wide effort to organize a Toy Drive for the Salvation Army on December 5, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the south entrance of the OhioHealth Marion Medical Campus (MMC).
After months of planning and collaboration, OhioHealth associates gathered Marion area safety professionals to partner for a day of fun and giving — and they invite others in the community to be a part of it.
The Physical and Occupational Therapy department has a committee called the Quality of Worklife Team. When Luranie Hamilton, committee member, was asked why they wanted to do the Toy Drive and invite the community to participate she used a play on words from OhioHealth’s Believe in WE tagline to say, “WE, at OhioHealth embrace the spirit of this season. WE feel blessed to be a part of Marion. WE hope to spread the light of joy and hopefulness throughout our community. WE wanted to pull the community together in a positive way to help others. What better way to keep the morale high in our OhioHealth family and the Marion community.”
Community members are invited to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Salvation Army on December 5. Contributors will be greeted by a host of volunteers from OhioHealth, the Marion Fire Department, the Marion Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. There will be opportunities for photos with mascots, emergency vehicles, and our servicemen and women in uniform. You won’t even need to leave your car. Simply drive through, drop off your toys, and go. Or bring the kids, engage them in the giving spirit, and allow them to meet those who protect us all year around.
The need is great. More than 600 children (up to age 14) have been identified by the Salvation Army to receive the toys that you bring.
“This can be a stressful time for those in need, who want to create a great holiday experience for their children. Your donations not only make you feel good, they do good for many, right here in our own community,” said Major Paul Knickerbocker, Corps Commanding Officer, Marion.
Can’t make it to the Toy Drive on December 5? You can still drop your new, unwrapped toys off at these locations now through December 18th.
- OhioHealth Home Care
(1713 Marion-Mt. Gilead Road, Suite 107, Marion, Ohio 43302) - OhioHealth Radiation Oncology Building
(1150 Crescent Heights Rd, Marion, Ohio) - OhioHealth Marion Medical Campus (north and south entrances)
(1050 Delaware Avenue, Marion, Ohio 43302) - OhioHealth Marion General Hospital (main entrance)
(1000 McKinley Park Drive, Marion, Ohio 43302) - OhioHealth Barks Road Office and Conference Center
(278 Barks Rd W, Marion, Ohio 43302) - Dr. Engle’s Office (formerly Dr. Garner’s office)
(Dr. Garner is at 241 Executive Drive, Marion, Ohio 43302) - OhioHealth Marion Area Physicians, Dr. Vivek Awasty Office
(980 S. Prospect Street, Suite #2, Marion, Ohio 43302) - Marion Fire Department
(Main station – 186 S. Prospect Street, 2nd station – 1069 Bellefontaine Avenue, and 3rd station – Jefferson Street, all in Marion, Ohio 43302) - Ohio State Highway Patrol – Marion Post
(1284 Route 423 North, Marion, Ohio 43302) - Marion Police Department
(233 West Center Street, Marion, Ohio 43302 – after hours they can go to the back door, pick up the phone and press 0, tell them they have a toy and they will let them in)
Not sure what to bring? The Salvation Army has provided a list of the most popular toys and gifts which include Disney’s Frozen, Paw Patrol, super heroes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, sports items, jewelry making kids, craft kits, art (drawing) kits, science kits, model cars, remote control cars, dress-up/make-believe, play food (play kitchen accessories), doctors kits, hair supplies, nail art supplies (nail polish). Items that are not needed are Barbies and Matchbox cars.