Genesee County residents were once again generous in their giving for the annual WBTA/Ken Barrett Chevrolet Toy Drive on Friday.  The Salvation Army will distribute the gifts to area children.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) today announced his December toy drive to help those in need enjoy a magical Christmas. The drive will last from now through December 18. 

Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, 121 N. Main St., Suite 311 in Albion, or at the Genesee County YWCA at 301 North St. in Batavia.

Toys for all ages will be accepted but there is a great need for toys for pre-teens and teenagers.

“As we approach the most wonderful time of the year, it's important to remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Many families in our community are struggling to make ends meet, and the thought of providing Christmas gifts for their children seems like an impossible task. But you can help. I'm hosting a Christmas Toy Drive, running from now until December 18, to bring joy and laughter to the homes of those in need. Your generous donations will ensure every child in our community has a Merry Christmas. This year, all toys collected will be distributed to families in need through the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. Together, we can make this Christmas truly special for the children of our community. Thank you for your generosity and support,” said Hawley.

Chiropractors Tom Mazurkiewicz and Nick Ryan are sponsoring their annual toy drive in support of City Church's efforts to spread Christmas cheer to local children. 

Donors who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive a complimentary adjustment during their next scheduled visit. The offer is open to new patients. The office at 184 Washington Ave., Batavia, is accepting donations through Dec. 15. 

All donations benefit families in Genesee County who may not otherwise be able to receive a gift this holiday due to economic hardship. 

The toys will be distributed by City Church at St. Anthony's on Liberty Street on Dec. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Press Release:

As the holiday season approaches, a collaborative effort is underway to bring joy and support to underprivileged children and teenagers in Genesee County. 

On Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., "Stuff the Cruiser" will take place in Batavia, featuring the active involvement of many local law enforcement and social welfare agencies including the Genesee County Probation Department, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Batavia Police Department, the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Genesee County Department of Social Services.

Residents and community members are encouraged to visit the Batavia Towne Center parking lot on Veterans Memorial Drive, where police cruisers from these agencies will be stationed. There is no need to avoid the area due to these vehicles; instead, we invite everyone to join this heartwarming event. 

The focus of "Stuff the Cruiser" is to collect gifts and essentials for children and teenagers aged eighteen and under throughout Genesee County. We seek your support in making this holiday season brighter for those in need. Donated items such as new toys, new clothing, small denomination gift cards, personal care gift sets, hats, gloves, accessories, and non-perishable food items are highly appreciated. 

All contributions will remain within Genesee County, ensuring they reach children and families who can benefit from these gifts during the holiday season. 

For further information, please contact Jason Mindler, Probation Supervisor at the Genesee County Probation Department, at 585-344-2550 ext. 2254 or Jason.Mindler@co.genesee.ny.us. 

Press Release:

The Batavia Notre Dame Girls Basketball teams are sponsoring a toy drive for Golisano Children's Hospital.

Toys have been donated by all Notre Dame staff and students to "Give Back." The toys are given to children spending their holidays in the hospital, and additional toys are used for the playrooms.

If you would like to donate to The Golisano Children's Hospital, contact Wendy Lane at 585-275-3028 or email wendy_lane@urmc.rochester.edu. 

Submitted photo

Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro donned a raincoat Saturday for a wet, windy Stuff the Cruiser drive as part of a larger law enforcement effort that involves Genesee County Probation Department, City of Batavia Police Department, New York State Police and Department of Environmental Conservation, and Genesee County Department of Social Services.

The collection is for new toys, clothing, small denominations of gift cards, personal care gift sets, hats/gloves and accessories, and non-perishable food items, to be distributed to children and families in need this holiday season.

The drive goes to 3 p.m. today in front of Target and Kohl's in Batavia.

Top Photo of Deputy Jordan Alejandro with the cruiser; and passing out lists of needed items to shoppers. Photos by Howard Owens.

WBTA, Ken Barrett Chevrolet, the Salvation Army, and City Fire teamed up today for the radio station's annual toy drive.  Area residents were invited to drop by the dealership to leave new, unwrapped presents for children in the community.

Top Photo: Lorne Way, WBTA, Ken Barrett, Lt. Jamie Call, Firefighter Ferdinando Papalia, Todd Rapp, Salvation Army, and Nici Johnson, WBTA.

Doctors Tom Mazurkiewicz and Noah Hoy are sponsoring the Annual Toy Drive at their 184 Washington Ave. office.

Bring a new, unwrapped toy to receive a complimentary adjustment during your next scheduled visit. This offer applies to new patients, as well. We are accepting donations through Dec. 17. Limit of one complimentary visit per patient.

All donations will benefit the local families of Genesee County who would otherwise not be able to receive a gift this Holiday due to economic hardship. Your generosity will provide a happier holiday for the families of these deserving children.

Thank you for your continued support during this holiday season.

City firefighters Ryan Clair and Ryan Whitcomb collect toys from a car at Ken Barrett Chevrolet Cadillac today as part of the annual Salvation Army toy drive sponsored by Ken Barrett and WBTA.

To comply with CDC guidelines related to COVID-19, this year's toy drive was a drive-thru affair. By early afternoon, the beds of multiple pickups had been filled and ready to take to a local hub to prepare the toys for distribution to children in Genesee County.

(Submitted photo: Above, Tom Mazurkiewicz, left, with City Church's Ryan Macdonald.) 

Chiropractor Tom Mazurkiewicz continues the tradition of Don Carroll, collecting toys for local children at his practice on Washington Avenue in the City of Batavia.

During business hours between now and end of the day Monday, Dec. 16, donors are welcome to bring unwrapped toys for ages 2 through 15. On Saturday, Dec. 14, Mazurkiewicz is offering free complementary adjustments with any toy donation between 7 and 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

Mazurkiewicz is partnering with City Church at T.F. Brown's Restaurant, so the toy donations will go to both places for distribution to local children at these respective events:

• City Church will donate toys at its Christmas party on Dec. 17;
• T.F. Brown's will donate toys at its Christmas party Dec. 19.