Toy drive to benefit Akron Children’s

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Youngstown State University student is organizing a toy drive to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital of the Mahoning Valley in Boardman.

Tabitha C. Fitz-Patrick is collecting new toys and books this month, and they will be donated to the hospital at the end of the campaign.

It is the second year for the drive, and last year’s was a great success, Fitz-Patrick said.

“I was able to donate hundreds of new toys and books to Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley,” she said. “This year I hope to double the donation.”

There will be donation boxes in the YSU deans’ offices in these buildings: DeBartolo, Williamson and Beeghly halls.

There also will be an event at the East Side Civics, 2929 South Ave., starting at 5 p.m. April 17 with drinks, specials and music associated with the toy drive. Bring a donation.

Some suggested items:

Infants and toddlers: Fisher Price toys, (barn, airplane, any others); plastic toy aquarium or glow items for infants; Disney character toys; Leap Frog toys; musical items; rattles, teething rings, pacifiers; mobiles; toy phones; puppets; stacking and nesting toys; building blocks; busy boxes; bibs; lullaby CDs; bouncers; baby swings; interactive toys (Laugh & Learn, etc.); Little People sets.

Boys: cars, motorcycles, trucks, Matchbox, Hot Wheels cars and play sets; K-Nex sets; Lego sets; Toy Story items; superheroes; dinosaurs; Nerf items; Thomas the Tank Engine; train sets; animal sets; models, snap-together or glue.

Girls: Barbie dolls and accessories; large baby dolls (all races); jewelry-making kits; shampoo and conditioners; journals and diaries; stationery and pens; necklaces; beads and string kits; nail polish; lip gloss; princess crowns; dollhouse furniture; needlepoint kits; craft kits; play kitchen and play food items; Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and Jonas Brothers items.

Games and general items: coloring/activity books; new stuffed animals with tags; Crayola art sets; crayons (nontoxic); markers and pencils; Play-Doh; colored pencils; glue sticks; children’s scissors; paint sets; puzzles; paintbrushes; pinwheels; craft/art kits; construction paper; drawing pads; balls; stickers; tinker toys; wooden blocks; hairbrushes (the type that push in); bubbles (small bottles); “I Spy” books; new books for all ages; Connect Four; Sorry; Life; Don’t Break the Ice; Guess Who; Battleship (board and electronic versions); Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader; chess or checkers; Scrabble; Monopoly; Uno cards.