DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY
montcnews2@windstream.net
MOUNT IDA – The annual “Care for our Cubs” toy drive gives local residents an opportunity to help local families provide a better Christmas for their kids.
The annual event is the brainchild of Dixie Fecho. Fecho, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, had participated in the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” since 1991. After moving to Montgomery County five years ago she saw a need locally for a toy drive. In 2014 she began the “Care for our Cubs” toy drive.
This toy drive is very similar to the Marine Corps effort, but as the name illustrates it is tailored to help local families. Although the name is derived from the Lion mascot at Mount Ida, it reaches out to help families across Montgomery County.
The first “Care for our Cubs” toy drive took place in 2015 with 16 county children receiving gifts. There were also two families who received assistance with utility payments. In 2016, they were able to help 29 children.
Fecho is excited to see the program grow in 2017. Donations are gladly accepted and they are also looking for names of families and children who might need assistance. She explained that they are not just focusing on families who may not have anything for Christmas, but would like to help working families who may be struggling to provide a great Christmas for their kids this year due to hard times.
The goal of the toy drive is to “deliver through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.”
If you would like to help by donating toys, or would like to suggest a family for assistance you can do so at: True Value, Bob’s Food City, Double T Diner, Twin Creek Mine, Rockhound Boutique, Crystal Meadows Rock Shop, Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce, or the Montgomery County News.
You can also message them with suggestions on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Care-for-Our-Cubs-Toy-Drive.
