Toledo Businesses Honor Fallen Officer with Toy Drive for Hospitalized Children and Pet Supplies for Local Shelter
Toledo Businesses Honor Fallen Officer with Toy Drive for Hospitalized Children and Pet Supplies for Local Shelter
Toledo, OH - January 2, 2024 -- Today marks a special day of giving and community spirit in Toledo. Local businesses, led by Toledo Hemp Center, have collected an array of toys for children currently residing at the Toledo Children's Hospital. This remarkable gesture of goodwill is in recognition and memory of fallen Toledo Police Officer Anthony Dia. The Toy Drive, organized over the past month, will see these generous donations delivered to the hospital today.
At 1:30 pm, community members will gather at Toledo Hemp Center to pack up the toys and prepare them for their journey. The delivery to the Children's Hospital is set for 2 pm, ensuring a joyful surprise for the little ones. It is essential to note that this initiative addresses a vital need, as children in the hospital are unable to share toys due to potential transmission of germs and diseases.
In addition to the toys, local businesses have also collected pet products to benefit the Lucas County Pit Crew. Once the toys are safely delivered, the focus will shift to the pet products, slated for delivery between 3 pm and 3:30 pm.
Participating in this touching tribute to Officer Dia will be his widow, Jayme Dia, and their two children. They will join Santa's helpers to bring cheer and a sense of community togetherness to the hospital.
Event Organizer, Dee Lynn, commented on the initiative, "This is a day of remembering Officer Dia, who dedicated his life to serving this community. It's also a day of coming together, to bring some joy to children in the hospital and support to our local animal shelter. I'm proud to see how our community has rallied to make this possible."
This event, inspired by the memory of a local hero, serves as a testament to the spirit of the Toledo community. It is a day of giving, unity, and remembrance, reinforcing the power of kindness and the importance of looking out for one another. The actions of these local businesses, combined with the enduring spirit of Officer Dia, will undoubtedly bring smiles to many faces today.