Elyria High class of 1971 donates more than 500 toys to Not-Forgotten Box

ELYRIA — The Chronicle-Telegram's Not-Forgotten Box is one step closer to reaching its 8,000-toy goal. The Elyria High School Class of 1971 donated about $4,400 worth of toys Saturday afternoon, a tradition the class took up about 10 years ago after the death of former Chronicle-Telegram Publisher and classmate Cooper Hudnutt. Connie Sinclair organizes the annual effort, gathering donations from local and far-flung alumni alike, including those living in Florida, Texas and Arizona. The group "adopted" 14 angel tags this year — buying presents based on a child's Christmas list — and donated 579 additional toys and clothing items for the Not-Forgotten Box. Eight local alumni came out transfer gifts from Sinclair's van to the newspaper's delivery vehicle, where the items were then taken to the Salvation Army's Elyria Post for sorting. Saturday was a busy day for Not-Forgotten Box donations. A steady stream of families and organizations filed through the Chronicle doors all morning, including Girl Scouts Troop 50153. Troop Leader Fuji Woods-Hill said she'd wanted the girls to participate last year, but they couldn't because of COVID. So this year, they pooled leftover cookie sale funds and went shopping for those in need. Salvation Army youth pastor and toy shop coordinator Mckenzie Goldsmith said the post will help Santa brighten the Christmases of about 1,000 kids 12 and younger this holiday season. About 300 of those children have been "adopted" through the organization's Angel Tree program, while Salvation Army volunteers fill bags for the rest of them from items collected by the Not-Forgotten Box and other donation drives. Goldsmith was quick to add the volunteers are just Santa's helpers — he comes from the North Pole on Christmas Eve to get the presents they've packed up. She and Capt. Tracy Knappins agreed this year feels like the need has increased, as last year they helped about 800 kids, but donations have decreased. Still, Knappins noted as long as they have toys and other items on hand, they'll accept families' applications for help. The Chronicle's Not-Forgotten Box has collected 4,603 toys this season — collecting 1,766 Saturday alone. Those wishing to donate new, unwrapped toys can bring them to The Chronicle-Telegram, 225 East Ave. in Elyria, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Dec. 17. The newspaper partners with the Salvation Army of Elyria for the Not-Forgotten Box. Those wishing to donate after Dec. 17 can take items directly to The Salvation Army at 716 Broad St. in Elyria from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 21. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.