Donate a toy and see the Goodyear blimp at the Wingfoot Lake hangar
Want to see a blimp up close?
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve are partnering for the 12th consecutive year in support of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation at the Wingfoot Lake hangar in Suffield Township.
Visitors can drive through the blimp hangar next weekend, Dec. 1-4, to drop off a donation to a U.S. Marine representing Toys for Tots. Hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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“We are excited to once again be able to provide visitors unique access to the Goodyear Blimp for a wonderful cause,” Laura Duda, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief communications officer, said in a prepared statement. “The relationship between the airships, the U.S. Marines Corps and the Toys for Tots Program has continued to grow over the past 12 years, and we are thankful we can support children receiving much-needed toy donations during the holiday season.”
Toys being donated must be new and in the original packaging to be accepted. Cash donations are also accepted. Toys can also be shipped to the Goodyear hangar through Dec. 3.
The Ohio hangar is at 841 Wingfoot Lake Road in Suffield. Toys also are being collected at the Goodyear airship bases in Carson, California, and Pompano Beach, Florida.
The event is free to the public.
On Friday afternoon, Akron Metro RTA will send a busload of toys for donation and transport 25 children from a local day care to see the blimp.
The interior of the hangar will be aglow with holiday lights, a Christmas tree and other decorations. Santa Claus will wave to children.
Over the past 11 years, the partnership has delivered nearly 200,000 toys and raised over $525,000 to benefit Toys for Tots. For more information, visit http://www.goodyearblimp.com or call 1-800-321-2136.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Toys for Tots event at Wingfoot Lake is chance to see Goodyear blimp
