12/15/13 - A truckload of toys will be distributed for free to local children at a church service in Howell next week. A member of the congregation at Life Church is an employee at a toy company, and earlier this year he approached Pastor Devin Kroner to suggest that the church distribute some of his toys to children for Christmas. Kroner was enthusiastic about the plan, and the toy company provided a pallet of toys to distribute. Kroner tells WHMI that another congregant then approached him separately and suggested the church start a toy drive to collect gifts for children who will be in the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor over Christmas. Kroner went back to the toy company employee to ask if it would be possible to get some more toys to make sure all of the children at the hospital got something for Christmas. The employee spoke to the higher-ups at the company, and they decided to donate an entire semi truck full of toys for the church to distribute not just in the hospital, but to children in the community as well. The total value of the toys was about $150,000, which Kroner compared to the contents of the entire toy section at a big-box store. The children in the hospital got their gifts on December 7th, and the remaining gifts will be distributed on Sunday, December 22nd at Life Church. After each service, children will be given tote bags and allowed to fill them with toys to take home completely free of charge. According to the church's website, a fourth service was added to accommodate the number of families who registered for the giveaway, and all four are now completely full. For more information, follow the link below. (TD)
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