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MARTINS FERRY -- The recent Operation Toy Lift garnered nearly $12,000 in donations and hundreds of gifts now being used by local charities to make Christmas bright this year for children across the Ohio Valley.
The toy drive was a joint operation of the Belmont County Sheriff's Department, Wheeling Police Department and United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley.
Following the drive held outside of the Ohio Valley Mall on Dec. 5, the United Way has allowed various groups and agencies that serve needy children and their families to pick out toys. A makeshift toy shop was set up in a room inside the mall.
Jessica Rine, executive director of United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, said this year's event was heartwarming for all involved, as three to four times as much money as usual was donated by people this year.
"It means a lot to me and the agencies that the community was able to come through in such a huge way," she said.
Rine said some of the agencies that have already come and "shopped" for the toys they need for their clients include the Belmont County Salvation Army, Youth Services System, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army of Brooke County, Family Resource Network, Martins Ferry Lions Club and Belmont County Student Services.
After the drive was over, more toys kept coming in. For example, EQT Corp. recently donated $3,000 and two pick-up truck loads of toys to the effort. Rine said after all the toys are dispersed, the donated money will be used to buy gift cards for older children in need, such as those 12-16 years old.
Rine said some used dolls that were donated to the cause could not be given to children. However, one of the United Way members sanitized them and donated them to a local nursing home. A few women who live in the Meadows of Cadiz nursing home "adopted" some of dolls that were collected during the drive, Rine said.
Meadows' corporate affiliate is Capital Health Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers.
During Operation Toy Lift, participants were hoisted high above the site via a bucket truck where they encouraged passersby to stop and donate toys and money to the cause.