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Christmas Zoo spreads toys, cheer

CHAD PLAUCHE-ADKINS The Marietta Times Christmas Zoo donations greet window shoppers Friday at the Workingman's Store.

One of the most precious things a parent can see is their child cuddling with a plush animal as they fall asleep. But for many families in Washington County, this simple pleasure is something they can rarely partake in. WMOA radio’s Christmas Zoo stuffed animal toy drive is one way to change that.

The WMOA Christmas Zoo is a toy drive that focuses on getting children stuffed animals for the holidays, said Ben Marshall. The on-air personality for WMOA also said that the annual event that is in its 29th year, and is a live broadcast that he genuinely looks forward to.

“It really is my favorite thing to do,” he said.

Marshall said the toy drive, which lasts until Dec. 22, isn’t limited to just stuffed animals.

“We accept all traditional toys as well,” he said.

CHAD PLAUCHE-ADKINS The Marietta Times Ben Marshall does his live remote at the Workingman Store surrounded by the Christmas Zoo on Friday.

Through the 12 years that Marshall has been working at WMOA and doing live remotes during the drive, he has seen families annually participate in helping others in need.

“It seems like a holiday tradition for them,” he said. “I’ve literally seen their kids grow up.”

The drop off location for the new, unwrapped toys is the Workingman’s Store on Putnam Street. Besides letting WMOA use their store front window as a collection point and live broadcast site, Marshall said the business’s participation with the toy drive over the last 12 years has been tremendously helpful.

“They treat us fantastically,” he said. “We are lucky to have such a great partner for the Christmas Zoo.”

Sarah Goocey, sales manager at the Workingman’s Store, said the Christmas Zoo toy drive is a way for them to help people during a special time of year

“It makes us feel like we are giving back to the community,” she said.

Even though the drive has collected thousands of toys in its history, Goocey said it isn’t enough.

“We still need a lot more,” she said. “There are still a lot of kids in the system that need our help.”

John Wharff, owner of WMOA, said this year’s Christmas Zoo toy drive that started the day after Thanksgiving is doing better than expected.

“We got off to a quicker start than in past years,” he said. “We have already filled the window, shipped them out, and started filling it again.”

Wharff said that the more than 10 charities and churches that receive the donations have dispersed over 23,000 stuffed animals and toys to area families over the years. The reason Wharff says WMOA keeps up the tradition of the toy drive is because the station and its listeners have been, and will continue to be a vital part of the community.

“It’s a way for us to stay local,” he said. “Five dollars from one person is nice, but when five dollars comes from 1,000 listeners, it is much more significant.”

New, unwrapped stuffed animals and toys can be dropped off at the Workingman’s Store at 113 Putnam St. during their regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

If you donate:

•What: WMOA’s Christmas Zoo stuffed animal and toy drive.

•Where: Workingman’s Store, 113 Putnam St.

•When: Through Dec. 22 during the regular store hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

•Donations: New, unwrapped stuffed animals and toys.

Source: WMOA and the Workingman’s Store.

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