Photo Provided Pictured with Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services staff is Pat Marcum, who along with her husband delivered 58 Easter baskets to the agency. In front from left are Megan Stuckey, foster care case manager; Michelle Marchio, coordinator. Second row from left are Laurie Mayeres, social services aide; Lauren Battistone, social services aide; Pat Marcum, Discovery Toys consultant; and Christine Parker, administrator.

MARTINS FERRY — Seven years ago, Pat Marcum began a Discovery Toys Easter Basket program for needy children in Monroe County.

Four years ago, she was able to include children in Belmont County, and because of the overwhelmingly generous contributions from friends, family, and members of the community, this year she was able to include children from Noble county, too.

One hundred twenty-nine children, identified by the Children Services Programs, will receive the special Easter baskets. Each basket includes two age-appropriate Discovery Toys, candy, dental supplies, Easter toys, bubbles, stuffed animals and two books for those children under 7.

The cost to sponsor a basket was $30, and Children Services and Marcum thank the following sponsors: Scott and Sandy Moretz, Randy and Nancy Boan, Alan and April Boan, Andrew and Kristine Boan, Tammy Morrow, Doug and Beth Roberts, Dawn Stebbins, Diana Marty, Susan Pollock, Audie and Terri Bednarczyk, Peter and Debbie Lett, Robert and Nora Fraley, Josh and Chasidy Pittman, Terry and Etta Burkhart, Linda Hossman (in memory of George Ruckman and Pat Gibson), Jerry and Darla Hossman, County Liners 4-H group, Nate and Emily Brandon, Immanuel UCC Golden Link Women’s Group, Debbie Gehring, Dr. Holly Bell, Julie Baker, Anthony and Meredith Marcum, Kevin and Teresa Gallagher, Margie Contos, Kent and Bre Price, Kevin and Vickie Glass, Nikki Bednarczyk, Tony and Cindy Schumacher, Carol Crooks (in memory of Charlie Crooks), Margaret Skidmore, Bob and Kathy Graham, Ryan and Alicia Boyce, Steve and Teresa Johnson, Daniel and Carrie Dick, Cindy Verboski, Outlaw Classics 4-H Group, Linda Wade, Sandy Wade, Bryan and Tam Marcum, Marti Mayne, Paul and Sandy Dietrich, Ann Paine, From Past to Present Quilt Shop, Shain Shipp, Cindy Fox, Woodsfield Eagles and Barb Gallaher.

Discovery Toys is a 40-year-old North American direct sales company that specializes in developmentally appropriate toys, books and games for children of all ages. Each year, Discovery Toys play advisors in the United States and Canada provide Easter baskets for thousands of needy children. For more information, visit discoverytoys.com/Patricia304.

Christine Parker, administrator at Belmont County Job and Family Services, commented on the donation.

“I just want to express my sincere appreciation to Pat, her family and the sponsors,” Parker said. “Every child in custody, from newborn to age 18, will receive a basket specially designed for them. The staff enjoy delivering the baskets to the foster parents and kinship providers so that they can be given on Easter. This is a wonderful program that Pat started, and Belmont DJFS feels fortunate to be a part of it.”