FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — A local restaurant group is holding a toy drive to benefit YWCA Northeast Indiana.
Be Better Hospitality is asking community members to drop off toys at its downtown businesses including Penny Drip, Dana’s, Night Train and the Blue Bottle Shop.
Emily McCorkle, Engagement Coordinator for YWCA Northeast Indiana, said the organization usually relies on Toys for Tots for its kids’ Christmas presents. Since Toys for Tots is no longer operational in Allen County for this holiday season, Be Better Hospitality joined forces with YWCA Northeast Indiana to help close the toy gap for children in YWCA programs.
McCorkle said she is hoping to give each child at least two toys for Christmas, but she said YWCA of Northeast Indiana kids will benefit from any gift that community members donate.
“Otherwise, these kids would not be getting toys for Christmas,” McCorkle said. “…We’re hoping for a strong finish so everybody can really enjoy Christmas.”
All toy donations will be gifted to children living in YWCA Northeast Indiana’s domestic violence shelter, addiction recovery program and kids in other YWCA programs. Toys will be collected for kids ranging from newborns to 16-year-olds. All donations must be new.