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Hospital bed available to a person in need
By Jewell Cardwell
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009
This is one in an occasional series of columns on folks ''Making a Difference'' in our community.
It's been a few weeks since I sat down to the sad news that the local chapters of the Telephone Pioneers of America are closing the book on their stellar and historic reign as the area's largest distributor of toys at Christmas for low-income children.
''Toys of Love,'' as this Herculean effort was called, came into being in 1983 after the Midwest experienced a flurry of plant closings.
At the same time, telephone employees who were taking early retirement were looking for a way to fill their idle hours.
Indeed, this truly was a labor of love for the Pioneers and their spouses who would toil all year long like Santa's elves to put toys in the hands of children who otherwise would not have them.
For a time there were seven Toys of Love workshops in Northeast Ohio: Akron, Canton, two in Cleveland, East Liverpool, Youngstown and Painesville.
''The Pioneers,'' said Dottie Presnar of Green, ''believed the project would help families affected hard by the economic times.''
It did.
Like the rest of the Pioneers' elves, Presnar — a retired Ohio Bell employee and architect of the project — is heartbroken.
She reminisced about attending a meeting in Indianapolis where she overheard a man talking about a company ''dumping all these toys in a landfill.''
That's how it all began.
Kay-Bee Toys, prior to striking a deal with the Pioneers, was getting rid of returned and discarded toys (stuffed animals, choo-choo trains, dolls, board games, radio-controlled cars, etc.) that were in less than perfect condition.
So the Pioneers got busy, very busy, refurbishing the toys for needy children.
Dave Esber provided the first building for the elves to do their thing: gluing, hammering, sewing and the like — everything they could do to make the toys look new again.
Others playing integral roles in the success of this all-volunteer venture were Akron's Doug and Shirley Estes, in ways untold.
Then came the recent news that Kay-Bee (now called KB Toys) was filing for bankruptcy and closing its stores.
In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was passed by Congress in response to a rash of reports about tainted toys, most manufactured overseas. The cost of certifying these toys would be prohibitive.
Still, no one will deny that it was an extraordinary arrangement while it lasted.
Several years ago, the Pioneers even got toys to refugee children in the camps of Kosovo.
Presnar estimated that ''no fewer than 302 semi trucks and 17 truck companies (including AJB Distribution, Ray Brown Trucking, Superior Meats, Roadway, North Canton Transfer, Ohio Bell and CRST) were involved, 471 volunteers and 624,782 volunteer hours involved, a minimum of 252 agencies were served.
''We estimate that 1,980,290 toys were distributed, with a value of $30,034,270 if we had to buy them.''
''Besides raising money through raffles and donations, the World Series of Golf also extended grants to the Akron operations,'' Presnar noted.
But what about today's children hit even harder by the current recession? What's to become of their Christmases?
Hopefully, that chapter will be written by others, folks just as dedicated as the Pioneers and toy companies with their hearts in the right place.
Members of the Pioneers — the organization dates back to 1911 — gathered recently for a remembrance time, inviting some of those who were a part of the gigantic toy ministry as well as those whose agencies were blessed by it.
The Rev. Ben Walker, executive director of Haven of Rest Ministries Inc., spoke fondly of the blessing Toys of Love was to his agency. ''Every toy was used,'' Walker said, adding, ''Hearts are saddened that this program is coming to an end. ''
God bless all of the Telephone Pioneers of America who did so much for other people's children quietly and with no thought of a public thank you.
Well, you're getting one now. A big one. THANKS!
Baptist ministry center
''The Always Hope Ministry Center located in Akron Baptist Temple has provided year-round support for thousands of families twice a week with food, clothing, small household items and occasionally furniture over five years,'' writes Pastor Mike Prebynski.
''Items are donated mostly from church members or those in the community and warehoused and handled by over 50 volunteers from Akron Baptist Temple. At Thanksgiving and Christmastime, turkeys and hams are handed out, as well as toys and candy for children of all ages. In 2008, we helped over 1,800 families and are expecting to exceed 2,500 in 2009. We also offer prayer and support and a timely message from the Bible at each service. ''
Electric hospital bed
Akron's MaryAnn Howiler has an electric hospital bed to donate to a local person in need.
To apply, please e-mail me in convincing fashion — not more than two paragraphs — why you deserve the bed. Or write to me at: Jewell Cardwell, HOSPITAL BED, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, Ohio 44309-0640.
Death with dignity
''I am writing to you about an incident that I viewed Friday, June 19,'' writes Clara Jean Piscazzi.
''I walked into the Wal-Mart on Hudson Drive and noticed a small crowd around the bench inside the store. When I looked I saw two women sitting on the bench. The tragedy was that the older woman was dead. It was obvious to any viewer.
''I believe the management and workers should be commended for the peaceful and honorable way they handled this terrible situation.''
Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com.
This is one in an occasional series of columns on folks ''Making a Difference'' in our community.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 07:50 AM, 06/24/2009
Gosh, if Akron hadn't had to have that special farce of an election, they could have donated that $175,000 to this worthy cause!
m, m
Posted 11:11 AM, 06/24/2009
that is our government in action. How can any charity afford to 'certify' that the toy is 'safe from lead'? The bill is a FARCE. Obama is too busy ramming everything else quickly down our throats without taking the time to study the effect of each bill passes. This "Consumer Protection' measure by the CPSC BANS toys 'used' from being resold unless you certify each one, costing thousands in testing costs. Laugh. just wait. THE LIBRARY IS AFFECTED TOO. Yep. the children's books in the library printed in certain years will need to be DESTROYED or inaccesible to children ! The Beacon needs to print an article about this government intervention once again. Consumers need to scream back.
m, m
Posted 02:14 PM, 06/24/2009
We have been blessed with the volunteers from this group. They provided a great need for toys, many 'refurbished' or 'unwanted' toys were just loved by the kids who received them. Too bad Congress thought these toys posed a danger if 'resold' or 'refurbished' for distribution.
