Medina man organizes one-day toy collection effort on Saturday
Donate a toy or $5 and win a chance for a fun outing in Medina
MEDINA – The Old Tyme Christmas celebration on Saturday in Medina is packed with events to usher in the holiday season. It also includes a new opportunity to donate a toy for local children.
Andrew Szatkowski has put together 20 packages to entice donations of toys or $5 that will be used to buy presents. The toys and funds will be turned over to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and the Medina Area Association of Churches, which both do toy drives each year.
“In our county there are children that need toys,” Szatkowski said. “I think it’s important as a community that we step up. There are children that need help.”
Szatkowski wanted to do a one-day toy effort timed when about 8,000 people are expected in the Medina downtown for the Olde Time Christmas celebration on Saturday, which is capped by the Parade of Lights at 6.
People are urged to bring an unwrapped toy to Canalside Tattoo at 540 Main St., or donate $5. For each toy or $5 donated, people will receive a ticket for a chance to win one of 20 “Medina Experience” packages.
The local restaurants and other service businesses have all donated for the packages to help encourage people to give to the toy drive. People can pick which of the 20 packages they want to try to win.
Szatkowski said the businesses were all quick to respond and donate to the raffle.
“The response has been great,” he said. “The energy in Medina’s business district is awesome.”
Szatkowski, who works at Takeform Architectural Graphics, wants to see “a pile of toys” that are dispersed to children in the community.
