“Some don’t have what they truly need — food, clothes,” Kinney said.
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At least those children, because of the generosity of several Middletown businesses and organizations, left the YMCA with a Christmas present, Kinney said. The toy giveaway celebrated its 10th year, and Kinney said the 531 children who registered were a record.
“We provided them with the Christmas, like us on the board had (as children),” Kinney said. “For some of them, this will be their only present.”
Deborah Patterson, executive director of the Feed the Hungry, said she’s not surprised by the needs in Middletown and throughout Butler County.
“I see what comes through the Dream Center daily,” she said.
Free, hot meals are offered during breakfast and dinner every day at the center, 834 Yankee Road. She said they average serving 100 breakfasts and 65 dinners per day.
The Christmas toys were purchased by donations from Meijer, AK Steel, Middletown Division of Fire and Kevin Hoffer, said Kinney.
She said some children attended with their grandparents because their parents are incarcerated or battling drug addictions.
When the program began 10 years ago, it was held at the Dream Center and 100 children received gifts, Kinney said.
Six years into the program, the board realized it had outgrown the Dream Center and the event was moved to the Middletown Area YMCA.
Now the event includes activity stations, pictures with Santa, dancing, and food provided by the Gold Star Chili on South Main Street.
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