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A Toys for Tots warehouse in Carroll County tragically caught fire on December 6, destroying toys for 3,000 local children. The warehouse, located in Sherrodsville, housed approximately $8,000 worth of donated toys that would soon be distributed to families in need this holiday season.
Bob Stratton, a Marine veteran who organizes the yearly toy drive for area children, shared they were expecting an additional trailer full of toys, but fortunately, the delivery was delayed. Stratton’s business, Lincolns & Things, was also destroyed by the fire.
Since the tragic fire happened, the Toys for Tots program has received an outpouring of support from the community, including a generous donation from the Carroll County Foundation, an affiliate organization of Stark Community Foundation.
As soon as Carroll County Foundation board members heard the news, they quickly came together and unanimously approved an emergency $1,000 grant from the Carroll Community Fund to Toys for Tots to help repurchase toys for Carroll County children.
“The recent fire in Sherrodsville resulted in a total loss of all the toys that had been collected this year for the Toys for Tots program,” said Sean Smith, chair of the Carroll County Foundation. “This tragic loss so close to Christmas was an opportunity for the Carroll County Foundation to step in and help.”
Now thanks to the support from Carroll County Foundation and other community partners, many children in the local community will enjoy a merry, bright and magical Christmas.