(12/21) While most families have been collecting and wrapping gifts for each other this holiday season, Wantz Chevrolet had something else in mind. This fall, the family-owned dealership had been collecting toys for their annual “Christmas for Community Kids.” For the past seven years, before Christmas, the Wantz Chevrolet dealership has been parking a pickup
truck in their showroom where anyone can come in and donate new, unwrapped toys for kids of any age. Along with toys, the dealership also collected nonperishable foods, blankets, gloves, hats and scarves. The goal is to fill the truck completely with toys and the other accepted items to give underprivileged children and families a Christmas they wouldn’t have had
otherwise.
“I’d say it’s the most we’ve ever had,” says Scott Wantz, the Vice President of Wantz Chevrolet. The dealership claims that this year is the most successful year they’ve had since they began collecting. On Monday, December 17, the toys were taken to the Trinity Lutheran Church, which is responsible for the distribution of the toys to the families who need them.
The toys mostly go to clients of the ‘Mission of Mercy.’ ‘Mission of Mercy’ is an organization across several regions of the country that helps provide free healthcare, free dental care and free medications to those who are underinsured, or uninsured completely. They bring their mobile health clinics to cities in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, including
Taneytown, Reisterstown, Brunswick, Frederick, Gettysburg and Harrisburg. Twice a month, the ‘Mission of Mercy’ medical van makes it over to the Trinity Lutheran Church to help local members of the community stay healthy during difficult times.
“It makes you feel good to see that truck full of toys,” Wantz continues. “The community has a lot of satisfaction knowing that these kids are getting a Christmas that they wouldn’t have had before.
Many community members took part in donating toys and other items to help our local families who are currently struggling. The donors included Wantz Chrevrolet customers, many employees, and others who had heard of the toy drive either in the newspaper, on the sign located outside of the dealership, or from word of mouth.
Originally, the dealership began collecting toys for Toys for Tots; a program founded and organized by the US Marine Corps Reserve. The goal of this program was to collect and distribute toys to struggling families in the Baltimore area to give them a Christmas that parents would not have been able to provide themselves. Two years ago, it came to the attention
of Wantz Chevrolet that there are people here locally that are also in need of help. It was then that “Christmas for Community Kids” was born. It is important to give back to the community when you are able. Family and community comes first here at the Wantz Chevrolet dealership.
Thank you to all who have donated. It is because of people like you that local children in need are given the Christmas they deserve. But most especially our thanks goes out to Wantz Chevrolet. Community focused businesses like Wantz are what make small towns great.
