Bringing Joy Where It’s Needed Most: 2025 Quarter Two Impact
- Victoria Muhlbach
- Jul 31, 2025
- 6 min read
View the full Quarterly Impact Report here:
Letter from the Director
"The second quarter is our team’s favorite and second-most-busy time of the year as we shift focus to community events in addition to our normal rhythm of providing donations to local organizations.
During the quarter, we came alongside our friends at the Perry Police Department to provide and help distribute 800 stuffed animals to the athletes at the Perry Exceptional Olympics. We teamed up with A Special Wish NEO to provide an assortment of awesome prize-type items for their annual Summer Bash. Additionally, we held our third annual Be A Friend Program that celebrates collaboration for the benefit of youth facing difficulties.
In all, we donated 6,585 toys to eleven different locations throughout Northeast Ohio - two of them being new for us, in Louisville and Massillon.
We welcomed 4,771 patrons at our weekly bingo nights. It is our joy and privilege to help create space for community at our location. It is our hope that our patrons enjoy their night out as they participate in our charitable gaming events that truly make a difference in the community.
As we look forward to the next quarter, we shift our focus to service projects, regular donations, and thoughts of the upcoming holiday season.
As always, THANK YOU!"
Ashley Natale, Executive Director
Toys Donated
In the second quarter we donated 6,585 toys! June was our biggest month as we aided community partners by bringing extra fun and smiles to their events.
TOYS BY CATEGORY
Our most donated toys in the second quarter was Stuffed Animals, followed by Sensory (i.e., fidget toys), Bubble Wands, and more! "Others" within this chart entails specially requested toys and donations that don't fit within our usual categories, such as foster care birthday gifts and toys for the Summer Bash by A Special Wish NEO Chapter.
TOYS BY LOCATION
This quarter donated to a wider array of locations. While we continued to support our usual hospitals and foster care agencies, we aided past partners (Special Wish NEO and Perry Exceptional Olympics) for their summer events. We are also excited to have added two new friends to our regular donations at Aultman in Massillon and Louisville!
HTW Kids
Earlier this year, we received a phone call from Becky Ragon with Ragon Warehouse Sales. She shared the story of her son, Jacob’s, organization, HTW Kids - an initiative for and by kids. Every year, HTW Kids selects different organizations to support. This year, Jacob selected the Children’s Toy Fund for his fundraiser after his younger sibling experienced a hospital stay and received some comforting items - like those we regularly donate to hospitals.
Read the full blog here:
Perry Exceptional Olympics
This marked our second year coming alongside our local Perry Police Department to provide and help distribute brand new, high quality stuffed animals to the athletes of the Perry Exceptional Olympics.
In our day-to-day work, we often act as a resource to provide other organizations with items to help bring smiles. This event has become one that we have looked forward to all year. We love having the opportunity to see all the hugs, smiles, and giggles as the youth selected their new furry animal friends and played in the police cruisers.
As we wrapped up the day, our team could not help but smile as we watched the athletes playing with their new furry friends on the Perry High School field during the closing ceremonies. It’s hard to explain the joy of being able to see the direct impact of a donation.
We are grateful for the continued invitation to help alongside our local Police Department. It is our honor and pleasure to help our mutual community in such an incredible way.
Summer Bash
This year marked the third year we have supplied A Special Wish NEO Chapter with items for their annual Summer Bash. This event creates a safe environment for their wish families to participate in a fun, carnival like event just for them.
Although we could not physically be present this year, we provided the following toys to add more fun to the day: Bubble Wands, Stuffed Animals, Meteor Stick Light up Wands, Dino/Volcano Squishies, Mash-Ems, and Collapsible Balls.
To our friends at A Special Wish: Keep up the amazing work making space, bringing joy, and adding support for the youth and families facing difficult situations.
Be A Friend Program
The Be A Friend Program is a unique initiative centered around recognizing and empowering children and teens within our current partner organizations. This program enables them to create a friend to join them on all their life adventures AND make a friend to be a friend to a child or teen in need—a simple, yet powerful, act of kindness. This hands-on experience recognizes and empowers the attendees while bringing comfort to children unable to attend the event.
In partnership with Project KARE, we invited 101 foster and kinship youth and their families to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for a meaningful day of fun, connection, and kindness.
For the first time, the event took place on the field and in the stadium locker rooms—transformed into “Choose Me Lockers” by Build-A-Bear Workshop, who brought their entire bear-building experience on site.
Outside, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Youth Department led interactive field games and drills, helping kids build confidence and try new things.
GOLDY the GOAT stayed busy all day spreading joy, while Bearamy joined later for even more smiles.
A special moment came when Hall of Famer Ronde Barber and his wife built a heartfelt set of bears to be gifted to a child who loves football at Akron Children’s Hospital.
This year marked a meaningful step forward in both size and impact—and a beautiful reminder that when youth are encouraged and supported, they rise.
Our hope is that the youth who participated walk away knowing they have the power to create change—and that the children who receive these bears feel seen, supported, and not alone.
Because those quiet sparks of hope - They matter.
SPONSORS
Friend Sponsors: East Central Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council, Jes Richardson State Farm Agent, Laborer's Local 1015, T&M Merchandising
PARTNERS AND PARTICIPATING STORES
GET INVOLVED
This event is rooted in community. From planning to execution, every detail came together through the shared efforts of incredible partners. It’s a dream far bigger than just us, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it real.
If you or your business would like to help grow the impact of this program, we’re currently seeking sponsors and community partners for 2026. We’d love to connect!
Charitable Gaming
We appreciate each and every bingo player that chooses to spend their evening with us! It is your continuing patronage that allows us to reach the children within our community who need the love, smiles, and support most. It is our sincere hope that, win or lose, each person has a nice evening out filled with laughter, community, and the knowledge that you are helping to give back within your community.
Thank you!
Looking Ahead
This quarter was packed full of amazing events within the community and lots of donated toys. Combined with our efforts from the first quarter, we have now donated 8,413 toys this year and are nearly halfway to our internal goal of surpassing 20,000 toys for 2025!
For the next quarter, our focus will shift to regular ongoing donations, service projects and strategic planning for the holiday season. Our team stands ready for a busy season ahead!
GET INVOLVED
We invite you to join us in making a difference. Whether volunteering your time, contributing to our initiatives, or participating in our events, your involvement is invaluable. Consider attending our bingo nights held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening, explore our "Be A Friend" program, engage in service projects, or make a donation to help us continue our mission. Together, we can bring more smiles and hope to children in our community!
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