CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO (December 12, 2024) – Gordon Lutz says he’ll will never forget visiting the fire department in Albany, Ohio with his five siblings to pick out a toy each holiday season. Many years, it was the only toy the children would receive for Christmas.
Now director of operations for Huey Magoo’s restaurants, Lutz said growing up in poverty in the rural Athens County village motivated him to give back to the community.
“It started with donating one toy when I was 16,” Lutz said. “I promised God that I would pay back the kindness shown to me.”
One toy has turned into nearly 5,000 Lutz said he expects to donate this year alone.
“It’s become an obsession for me,” an emotional Lutz said as he and members of the local Huey Magoo’s management team donated a car-load of toys to Pickaway County Community Action Organization on Wednesday morning for its annual Toys For Tots campaign.
“I buy and collect toys all year long now,” he said. “God’s been very faithful to me.”
“We are so blessed to have the support for a program that makes a difference in the lives of so many people,” said PICCA Executive Director Becky Hammond. “The power of giving one toy to a child cannot be underestimated. We cannot thank Huey Magoo’s enough for its support.”
In 2023, the Toys for Tots program served 550 families. More than 1,400 children received toys with a total value of nearly $70,000.
PICCA continues accepting donations of cash or new, unwrapped toys at its offices located at 469 E. Ohio St., Circleville, OH 43113. It also has Toys For Tots boxes located in businesses around the county. For more information, contact Matthias Rickerd at (740) 477-1655. PICCA accepts donations of cash or toys for Toys For Tots year round.
PICCA’s Toys For Tots distribution center is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 23. Applicants must bring a photo identification, and must show proof of income and identification for their children, including medical cards, social security cards and state identification cards. The required documents can be photos on individual’s phone. PICCA verifies but does not need copies of those documents. Once qualified, children aged infant to 17 each receive $50 worth of toys. Selection varies by day. Restocking occurs as donations are received.
PICCA encourages those who are unsure if they qualify for assistance to reach out to the agency because it understands there are unique hardships hitting families in our current economy.
