JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Channel 4′s Positively JAX Toy Drive kicked off Wednesday with an all-day drop-off event.
News4JAX viewers from across the area dropped off new, unwrapped toys for Jacksonville Toys for Tots to help make the holiday season a bit brighter for some children and to help make the load a lot lighter for their families.
Lucinda Jones purchased bicycles and dropped them off at the station in the morning.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Jones said. “I love doing this. I love doing it for the kids. I know when I couldn’t get everything I wanted, so when I can afford it. I go and spend the money.”
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From excited viewers like Jones to a child who donated an entire race car set to moving companies like College Hunks, the joy of dropping off toys was felt throughout the day.
“We do a lot of donations at College Hunks, so anytime we could specifically donate, so rather than going to our normal donation centers, if we could do it for a toy drive in this time of year, absolutely, we’re going to,” said Russell Tully, with College Hunks.
Our donations boxes were overflowing. We collected bicycles, basketballs, scooters, stuffed animals and dolls — just to name a few.
News4JAX viewer Gary Bass says he has two daughters and three granddaughters.
“God has blessed me in so many ways, and I was watching TV this morning and I said, you know, I’m gonna be a blessing to somebody else,” Bass said.
Wednesday’s drop-off event began at 7 a.m. and ended at 7 p.m., but if you couldn’t stop by Channel 4 during that time, you still have until Dec. 9 to drop off a toy at our studios — located at 4 Broadcast Place, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
Since 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed 604 million toys to 272 million less fortunate children across America.
We also want to remind you that if you haven’t signed up to join our Positively JAX Movement, we want to invite you to do so by clicking here. This is your one-stop to see, share and sign up for all the good things happening in all our local communities.