11/03/2023
Always glad to help and be a part of giving to those in need!
Hello, All!
Our Holiday Donation boxes were put out today!
I am not sure if you all are familiar with how the Harrison Happenings Toy Drive started so I wanted to take a minute and tell you the history behind it.
In November 2019, I was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor of the stomach. That December, a friend adopted my children for Christmas giving them the best Christmas ever.
As I was waiting for my cancer surgery in March of 2020, COVID-19 hit and I had to close down my business.
Despite facing health challenges and financial struggles, I was determined to help other families in need. In October 2021, I organized a toy drive using my Harrison Happenings page. The overwhelming support from the community of Harrison was big.
Since I started the outreach program in 2021 to benefit low-income families in Harrison, we have been able to provide almost 350 children in the Southwest Local School District with a Merry Christmas. For the 2021 Christmas, 630 toys were given away to local children. and for the 2022 Christmas, 996 toys were given away to local children.
With encouragement from my family and friends, I decided to take take a leap of faith and start a nonprofit. In August 2022, I hired an attorney to start the process of registering my foundation as well as the Harrison Happenings Community Fund as a nonprofit.
Since, then with the help of the people and businesses of Harrison, by influencer status with Facebook and Amazon, we have been able to give back so much to those in need.
Unfortunately, I received some not-so-good news a couple of weeks ago -- a primary test has shown my cancer has come back.
I thought about cutting back my efforts this year for the Holiday Drive, however, I had so many businesses reach out to me to take a box, that I knew I couldn't cut back. This year like last there are 13 donation sites (10 for the Children's Toys and 3 for Pet Toys/Food).
I did want to personally thank the other businesses who offered to host a box. I appreciate you all but I don't want to overextend myself. God only knows what the future holds for me but I am not going to let cancer stop me from helping others!
I hope you all can help me bring even more joy this Christmas holiday. If this happens to be my last Christmas helping families - Let's make this Christmas the best yet!!!
Please Bring A New, Unwrapped Toy For Boys & Girls Up To Age 12
Toy Donations Can Be Dropped Off At :
🎁 Anytime Fitness Harrison, OH: 10501 New Haven Rd, Harrison
🎁 Bright Family Eye Care: 107 N. State St., West Harrison, IN
🎁 Chadwick's Salon: 1106 Stone Dr, Harrison, OH
🎁 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: 10927 New Haven Rd.
🎁 Harrison Mattress: 10548 Harrison Ave Suite 200 Harrison, OH
🎁 Magic Land and Play Café: 10501 New Haven Bd, Harrison, OH
🎁 Pathways to Home: 9141 Kilby Rd, (Front Porch) Harrison, OH
🎁 Staples: 595 Ring Rd, Harrison, OH
🎁 Unique Nail Salon: 10548 Harrison Ave, Harrison, OH
🎁 WesBanco: 10575 Harrison Ave, Harrison, OH
Please Bring A New, Unwrapped Toy Or Unopened Food For A Pet
Pet Toy/Food Donations Can Be Dropped Off At:
🎅 spaw Pet Grooming: 219 Harrison Ave, Harrison, OH
🎅 Harrison Pet Center: 10517 Harrison Ave, Harrison, OH
🎅 Harrison Animal Hospital: 102 May Drive Harrison, OH
Prefer to donate money for the purchase of a Toy?
- Cash App: $hhccfund (Harrison Happenings)
- Venmo: (Harrison Happenings)
- Paypal: paypal.me/HHCFundOhio
- Wesbanco: Accepts cash & checks (reference: Harrison Happenings Community Fund)
Thank you all for your continued support! I appreciate you more than words can adequately express!
Blessings,
Christina
