By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
COVID-19 is expected to really cramp Santa Claus’ customary job performance this Christmas.
So local residents are being asked to chip in and fill the gap created by the coronavirus.
Every holiday season, Wood County Children’s Services collects toys for kids in foster care. Normally several events are held to fill Santa’s sleigh. A toy drive would be held at Levis Commons. BGSU would accept toys instead of fines for parking violations. And a “teddy bear toss” would be held at a Walleye’s hockey game.
Those toys would fill a “Santa’s Shop” at Children’s Services.
Biological parents would then come in and “shop” for their children.
But this year, none of those toy collections are being held due to the coronavirus pandemic – even though the needs are even greater.
“We’re going to have more families in need of things this year,” said Sandi Carsey, administrator of Wood County Protective Services.
So Children’s Services is looking for help stocking the shelves in Santa’s Shop for the more than 200 children currently in foster care.
New toys and gift cards are being accepted from now until Dec. 7. They can be dropped off at the Children’s Services entrance at Wood County Job and Family Services off East Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green, or staff will pick up the toys if donors call 419-354-9669.
Local residents, organizations and businesses may also sponsor a foster child.
“We have a child fill out a wish list,” then ask for donors to purchase items on the list, said Brandy Laux, assessment supervisor at Children’s Services.
Normally, Children’s Services holds a holiday party for biological parents and their children in foster care. But this year any parties are also being canceled due to COVID-19.
But the Santa’s Shop – which allows parents to pick out new items to give their children at Christmas time – will not be shut down by coronavirus.
“They can have that Christmas feel with their family,” Carsey said. “So it’s not a financial burden for them.”
In addition to new toys, Children’s Services is also asking for donations of gift cards to a variety of businesses like McDonald’s, Walmart, Kohls, Amazon, iTunes, and Bath & Body Works.
“I feel teenagers get missed because it’s easier to buy toys,” Laux said.
The biological parents will be able to schedule times to “shop” for their children, and then can finish up at a wrapping station at Children’s Services.
