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GM paint shop donates to Salvation Army
By Kalea Hall
LORDSTOWN
Carla Clay spent another year helping to make Christmas memorable for children in Mahoning County.
“When someone is out there less fortunate than you, it is exciting to buy toys for them,” Clay said.
This year, she bought some electronic toys, a baby doll and some learning materials.
Clay, an 18-year General Motors Lordstown employee who has been in the paint shop for almost seven years, is one of many workers to support the Salvation Army this year.
On Tuesday, the paint shop and United Auto Workers Local 1112 hosted the 12th annual benefit for the local Salvation Army services.
The toys, including 16 bikes (most with helmets), electronic toys, soccer balls, basketballs and board games, were loaded onto a truck to be distributed to Mahoning County families. The local Salvation Army also accepted a monetary donation of $6,150. Workers can choose to take tags from an Angel Tree. These tags specify the age, gender, clothing sizes and gift wishes of a child.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Salvation Army,” said Steve Notar Donato, Lords-town plant manager.
Major Valerie Kahn and Major Elijah Kahn, both area services coordinators for the Salvation Army of Mahoning County, were happy to be back at GM for this year’s event.
“Many of these people you will never meet, but because of your generosity a little boy or girl will have toys under the Christmas tree,” Elijah Kahn said to some of the employees. “You are a friend, and the Salvation Army is honored to be connected to you.”
Although the plant takes 100 tags for gifts, Valerie Kahn said the gifts will provide more than 100 registered families with gifts. Distribution starts Tuesday. About 1,500 families will be served this year.
“You look at these toys, and there is going to be a smile behind every one of them,” she said. “These are families who will be thrilled. We don’t take it for granted.” GM is at the top for monetary supporters, she added.
“Whenever our team members get to partner with an agency, especially one as worthy as the Salvation Army, they hit it out of the park,” said Glenn Johnson, Local 1112 president.