Ford employees donate toys for children in need

200 children shopped for

Employees of the Ford Motor Co. Ohio Assembly Plant, 650 Miller Road in Avon Lake, held their annual toy collection Dec. 13 for Lorain County Children Services.

The drive took place to gather toys for children who are less fortunate, so that they can have a present this holiday season, said Amy Brown, employee resource coordinator at the plant.

“We have done this every year for around 20 years or so, and the employees here are so generous,” Brown said. “I want to thank managers, hourly and UAW Local 2000 for the gifts that were donated.”

Brown said 200 children were shopped for.

“We are so blessed to have the jobs we have here. So, this is a great way to give back,” she said.

Herb Bennett, United Auto Workers chairman at the plant, said the toy drive is a great event to a part of.

“The employees here, both hourly and salary, donated generously,” Bennett said. “The plant is always happy to do it every December.”

Jason Moore, manager of the plant, said everyone looked forward to the toy collection.

“It’s a big deal for everyone involved,” Moore said. “This collection is a great culmination of the year as a whole.”

The collection is all about helping the community, he said.

“The community is so good to us, and we love to give back,” Moore said. “It feels good to be a part of something like this.”

Nancy Griffiths, kinship supervisor for Lorain County Children Services, said the donation was absolutely amazing.

“They donate so many toys, it’s awesome,” Griffiths said. “They’ve been doing this every year for awhile now, and we appreciate it. I know the kids appreciate it as well.”

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Herb Bennett, UAW chairman at Ford Motor Company in Avon Lake, middle, speaks with Jason Moore, the plant manager, left and Rob Horner, service employee at the plant, who dressed as Santa Claus for the toy collection.