Ottawa County agencies team up to brighten Christmas for area families

Sheri Trusty
·3 min read
Kami Sayre, director of the Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center, stands amidst the 1,601 toys the center had collected by late November, but they still need more to meet the needs of local families.
Kami Sayre, director of the Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center, stands amidst the 1,601 toys the center had collected by late November, but they still need more to meet the needs of local families.

PORT CLINTON - The Ottawa County Holiday Bureau has evolved since it gave away its first Christmas meal 60 years ago. Today, it provides food and toys to hundreds of local families through a collaboration with the Salvation Army of Ottawa County. As always, the bureau needs help to help those in need.

The Holiday Bureau is accepting financial donations for food, and the Salvation Army is collecting toys so area families can have a bright Christmas. When COVID-19 restrictions made in-person pickup of food a challenge, the bureau began distributing gift certificates to local grocery stores so families could choose just what they want to eat for the holidays.

“The gift certificates have to be used by Dec. 31,” said Bonnie Kaspar, president of the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau. “Even though the Holiday Bureau is for food, people were always grateful when we also gave them things like soap, shampoo and dish soap, because they can’t buy those things with food stamps. If that’s what they need, they can get that with the gift certificates, too.”

The Ottawa County Holiday Bureau is separated into four units, and each unit provides gift certificates to local grocery stores. Depending on where they live, recipients are given gift certificates to either Miller’s New Market in Genoa, Community Markets in Oak Harbor, Mutach’s Food Market or Erie Food Market in Danbury Township, or Bassett’s Market in Port Clinton.

Bonnie Kaspar, president of the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau, is leading the bureau in its 60th year of serving families at Christmastime.
Bonnie Kaspar, president of the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau, is leading the bureau in its 60th year of serving families at Christmastime.

“It’s neat, because it’s all local stores,” said Kami Sayre, Director at Salvation Army Port Clinton Service Center.

When local residents apply to the Holiday Bureau, the names of families with children ages birth through 12 are sent to the Salvation Army so the children can receive toys, too.

“It’s like a one-stop application for both,” Sayre said. “The Holiday Bureau ladies are amazing. They are so on top of the applications.”

As of late November, Sayre said the center had collected 1,601 toys, but they still need more, especially for older children. Suggestions for older kids include Legos, makeup kits and games for electronic gaming systems.

“We’ll take any kind of toy; however, we are in dire straits for gifts for kids over 8,” Sayre said. “We’re also collecting coats and gloves, and we need larger size coats. I’m totally out of larger sizes.”

Lilly and Gert’s in Port Clinton is one of 71 Marine Toys for Tots drop off locations in Ottawa County.
Lilly and Gert’s in Port Clinton is one of 71 Marine Toys for Tots drop off locations in Ottawa County.

The Salvation Army has partnered with the Marine Toys for Tots campaign, and there are 71 Toys for Tots collection boxes across Ottawa County this year.

“All of the toys collected in Ottawa County boxes stay here in the county,” Sayre said.

Kaspar said the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau relies on donations to meet needs in the community. Financial donations to Ottawa County Holiday Bureau can be sent to 12154 W. Ohio 105, Oak Harbor, OH 43449. Monetary donations for toys can also be sent to the Salvation Army at 1834 East Perry St., Port Clinton, OH 43452. Write “toys” in the memo line.

The collaboration between the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau and the Salvation Army of Ottawa County will bring Christmas to hundreds of area homes this holiday season.

“It’s a nice affiliation between the two,” Kaspar said. “This way, we can serve families foodwise and toywise.”

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Ottawa County agencies team up to brighten Christmas for area families