Vantage helps provides kids with toys

Vantage information

With no Toys for Tots operating in Van Wert County this year, Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service teamed up with the local Salvation Army to help collect toys for area children in need. To meet this challenge, they enlisted the help of the four area schools — Van Wert, Vantage, Crestview, and Lincolnview — to help make this Christmas a happy one for all children.

Vantage students and staff raised over $2,000 for the cause by holding two “jeans days”. Amy Grothouse, Junior Cosmetology and VCC teacher, spearheaded the effort. On December 12, her VCC students took a shopping trip to Walmart to purchase toys — 573 of them!

“Two of my students told me they really wanted to help with this project because, when they were little, their Christmas toys came from Toys for Tots,” said Grothouse.

Lee Kinstle GM Sales & Service donated a $500 Pick ‘N’ Save gift card in Vantage’s name to the Van Wert Salvation Army Food Bank to help fill the shelves.

Eric McCracken, and his team were very happy with the results.

Vantage VCC students (who did the shopping) and Welding students (who donated the most money) are pictured with the ‘Toss A Toy’ truck.  Also in the front row are Brent Wright, Welding instructor, and Amy Grothouse. (Vantage photo)