MORE: Annual Fairfield Schools toy drive kicks off to help foster kids have happier Christmas
“Basically this toy drive was created the day I was told by a foster student that they didn’t have any Christmas that they could remember. He was bounced from place to place and money was used for his clothing, health, etc,” said Rose.
“It broke my heart. I wanted to find a way to make it possible for these kids to experience the magic of Christmas, so I came up with the idea of a toy drive,” she said.
“Staff in every (school) building stepped up and not only donated themselves, but encouraged their students to give, teaching these kids that the littlest acts of kindness often make the biggest of differences. The spirit of giving and joy that our staff exudes during this toy drive embodies the essence of Christmas itself.
“It makes me both proud and humble to know that these children will have a Christmas because of the selfless and amazing people I have the privilege to work,” said Rose.
Billy Smith, superintendent of the 10,000-student Fairfield Schools, “the fact that our folks brought in more toys than ever just reaffirms how special our community is.”
“As a district, we are so thankful for all of the students and staff that brought in toys for our Ton of Toys drive. I especially want to thank Nina Rose for her willingness to lead such a wonderful event. The fact that our folks brought in more toys than ever just reaffirms how special our community is,” said Smith.
Alisa Muncy, the supervisor for investigations for the Butler County Children’s Services Agency, said “we rely on the generosity of Fairfield Schools heavily through the holidays to make gifts possible for not only our children in foster care, but also kinship care and the families that we serve.”
“Nina has been the key over the last 11 years in orchestrating what has become the main source of how we are able to fulfill children’s wish lists. Without Fairfield Schools and Nina’s tireless efforts, we would be faced with a shortage of items to distribute to children and families that truly need it the most,” said Muncy.
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