Large donations to Chronicle Telegram's Not-Forgotten Box bring total to 4,672 toys

Several large donations to the Chronicle-Telegram's Not-Forgotten Box on Wednesday have brought the toy count to 4,672 toys with two days left in the fundraiser. Rebuild Manufacturing Cutting Dynamics of Avon dropped off two boxes filled with toys and seven bikes Wednesday afternoon, one of their biggest donations yet, according to Chris Gerbick, kitting supervisor at the company. "A couple bucks goes a long way and that's what you see here with the donation," he said. "It feels great to see everybody come out and donate to a cause like this." The company's fund drive, which included employees at the company's four facilities in Avon and Avon Lake, began back in November around Thanksgiving. With the ushering in of the holiday shopping, Gerbick said donations skyrocketed. "We were able to donate over 300 toys and seven bikes," he said. "We were kind of scrounging in the beginning and then all of a sudden there was a huge push and we were able to bring what we have here today." Lorain County Commissioner Michelle Hung and Lorain County Solid Waste Management District Director Dave Blevins also took the time to donate to the box and community Wednesday afternoon. Composed of a donation of children's books and eight recycling truck LEGO sets, the presents have an important message for Hung and Blevins. "These presents for the Not-Forgotten Box represent my love of reading and hope to foster the imagination of young people in Lorain County," Hung said. Blevins echoed her sentiments adding, "I hope the donation will be an entertaining way to remind young people to recycle right!" Donations for The Not-Forgotten Box are being accepted until Friday. There is a special request for items for 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls. Contact Lauren Hoffman at (440) 328 6902 or lhoffman@chroniclet.com.