Hamilton County Job & Family Services grows toy drive for kids in foster care

Hamilton County Job & Family Services (HCJFS) has a goal to give all kids in foster care at least two gifts this holiday season. It's drawing unprecedented support from high-profile community organizations, including Hoxworth Blood Center and the Bengals.

As HCJFS has done for the past several years, it's using an Amazon wish list. Some items on it are requests from specific kids. The rest will stock a toy shop at the agency, where workers can shop for kids on their caseloads. Foster parents and kinship providers will be invited to shop, as well.

But with more than 2,000 kids in foster care, HCJFS knew generating that many gifts might be a challenge. So the agency sought partners and found a lot of help. Among the first to sign on were other county departments, including the Sheriff’s Office, Law Library, Clerk of Courts and Public Defender’s office. They’re all helping with toy collection and promotion.

Hoxworth Blood Center will kick off a public collection with bins in all neighborhood donor centers from Nov. 17-23. Donors are asked to bring in gifts when they come to give blood at any of the seven locations in Anderson, Blue Ash, Ft. Mitchell, Clifton, West Chester, Tri-county and Western Hills.

The Bengals agreed to partner with HCJFS for a collection outside the Dec. 1 game against the Steelers and will encourage ticket holders to bring a toy. Bengal Jim signed on, as well, to highlight the event during his famous tailgate.

"We are so appreciative of all these new partnerships. This will mean thousands more people will know about the gift drive than ever before and will hear us talk about the importance of foster care and supporting Hamilton County’s kids," said Michael Patton, director of Hamilton County Job and Family Services.

For more information, please visit HCkids.org.