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Easter baskets going to children in need

T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Staff at Belmont County Children Services receive donations of Easter baskets Monday at the Ohio Means Jobs office in Martins Ferry. This is the third year in a row Discovery Toys has been able to donate to Belmont and Monroe county children. Pictured are Nickie Couch, supervisor, Pat Marcum, Discovery Toys play adviser, and Christine Parker, Children’s Services director. In back are Wendy Tomlinson, social service agent, Alexis Watson, intern, Michelle Marchio, coordinator, and Emily Cominsky, connect specialist.

MARTINS FERRY — Children in Belmont and Monroe counties in the care of Children Services will have an Easter basket this coming holiday, thanks to some kind and generous sponsors.

Six years ago, Pat Marcum began a Discovery Toys Easter basket program for needy children in Monroe County. Three years ago, she was able to include children from Belmont County as well. This year, a total of 80 children identified by the Children Services programs will receive the special Easter baskets.

Marcum said a total of 46 baskets will go to Belmont County children and 34 to Monroe County children, ranging in age from younger than 1 year old to 18.

“This is the most I’ve done — 80 is the most I’ve done in the six years,” Marcum said. “I would say last year was in the 60s. It’s a much, much greater need this year.”

Marcum described the initiative.

“This is a program that Discovery Toys does every year. Through Canada and the United States there are thousands of baskets that are given to children in need. It’s something I did through Discovery Toys because I am a play adviser through Discovery Toys. I reached out through my home county — Monroe County — to start with,” she said.

Each basket includes two age-appropriate Discovery toys, candy, dental hygiene supplies, Easter toys, bubbles, stuffed animals and two books for those children younger than 7.

The baskets were delivered Monday to the Ohio Means Jobs office in Martins Ferry.

Belmont County Children Services Director Christine Parker said the baskets always make an impression on the children in her agency’s care.

“They’re very excited, even the older kids. They’re all excited to get their Easter baskets,” Parker said. “The children we have in custody, Pat takes care of all of them.”

The cost to sponsor a basket is $30. Marcum thanks sponsors including Barb Neidert, Scott and Sandy Moretz, Randy and Nancy Boan, Andrew and Kristine Boan, Tammy Morrow, Doan Ford, Doug and Beth Roberts, Susan Pollock, Peter and Debbi Lett, Robert and Nora Fraley, Josh and Chasidy Pittman, Terry and Etta Burkhart, Debbie Gehring, Dr. Holly Bell, Julie Baker, Anthony and Meredith Marcum, Paul and Silvia Kanzigg, Kevin and Teresa Gallagher, Margaret Skidmore, Bob and Kathy Graham, Ryan and Alicia Boyce, Daniel Moretz and Taylor Duty, Steve and Teresa Johnson, Linda Wade, Bryan and Tam Marcum, Marti Mayne, Paul and Sandy Dietrich, Bommer Tire & Collision, Bri Gallagher, Ann Paine, Shain Shipp, Alan and April Boan, Cindy Fox, Chris and Coty Welch, Beallsville Christian Church, Byron and Cathy Kocher, Barb Gallaher, and Grandview Christian Church.

Discovery Toys is a 40-year-old direct sales company that specializes in developmentally appropriate toys, books and games for children of all ages. Each year, Discovery Toys play advisers in the United States and Canada provide Easter baskets for thousands of needy children. For more information, visit discoverytoys.com.

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