Christmas toy giveaway marks 10th anniversary in Middletown

Sunday will mark the 10th anniversary of the annual Christmas Toy Giveaway in Middletown.

The Louella Thompson Dream Center Feed the Hungry Project organization will host the annual Christmas giveaway from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the YMCA Middletown Branch, 1020 Manchester Ave.

More than 530 children have pre-registered to participate in the event, according to Deborah Patterson, the project’s executive director.

Patterson developed the original concept when she was the organization’s president. With the assistance of various community volunteers, they were able to make 100 children happy on Christmas in 2007. The event was located at the Louella Thompson Dream Center, but after its sixth year the event outgrew the Dream Center and partnered with the Middletown YMCA.

Bridget Kinney, the project’s chairwoman, said since moving to the YMCA, the event has grown exponentially to more than 500 children including parents. She said the event includes various activity stations, pictures with Santa, dancing and food.

As of Saturday, Kinney said the organization is still in need of toy donations for this year’s event.

“We have 531 children that have registered and we do not want to disappoint them,” Kinney said.

Event sponsors include Walmart, Meijer, Middletown Firefighters Local 336 and Gold Star Chili, Kinney said. In addition, there are a number of volunteer sponsors including Bethel AME Church’s Youth Ministry; and Nettie Dupee and the Gift Wrap Committee.

For more information about the organization’s programs, call 513-423-0433.

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