By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

In the old days of the NCC Colonel Crawford and Ontario were rivals, that rivalry is being renewed, albeit not in the field of sports, but in a toy drive between the two schools.

The two schools are teaming up and battling it out against each other in a toy drive between May 1 and May 5 to see who can collect the most toys for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. At Colonel Crawford, the event is being hosted by the school’s FCCLA, FFA, LEO Club, National Honor Society, and Project B.L.A.C.K.  The toy drive is open to Colonel Crawford students in grades K-12 and items donated needs to be new unopened/unused toys or clothes for toddlers through teens.

Colonel Crawford’s Desiree Sharp explained that the competition came about after a friend from Ontario started the drive as a way to give toys and clothes to the children that she works with while interning at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“We were just looking for ways for her to raise more toys. She is doing a summer internship there, and she wants to be able to give toys and clothes and stuff to the children she works with,” Sharp said. “So, we were trying to think of ways to raise more toys and money and such and this kind of competition, we thought would get the kids motivated to bring in toys.”

Setting a goal of trying to collect at least 150 toys, Sharp explained that she hopes kids who donate get a little bit more out of the contest.

“I think it should make kids feel better that they are helping out for a worthy cause, and that it is something for more than just themselves,” Sharp said.

Colonel Crawford Students who bring in a toy will also receive a free dish of ice cream. Another ice cream treat could also happen for Colonel Crawford students as well. If the school outperforms Ontario in the toy drive Principals Mrs. Sautter, Mrs. Bond and Mr. Bruner will be turned into ice cream sundaes.

The week after the toy drive wraps up Sharp noted that the Colonel Crawford FCCLA Club will be going to the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus to serve dinner as a way to give back even more.

For a complete list of suggested items visit www.cck12.org and click on the quick links at the bottom of the page.