Holiday Collection Drive: SCCS, Shapiro’s Office, Toys for Foster Children

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AKRON, Ohio – Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Office helped deliver holiday cheer this season with a Holiday Collection Drive benefiting children and families served by Summit County Children Services (SCCS).

Over a two-week period, Executive Shapiro’s staff filled a van with donated toys and other items for local foster children. The collection included everything from Barbies and Play-Doh to Legos and Monster trucks, all destined for children currently in SCCS custody.

At the SCCS holiday workshop, volunteers receive wish lists for each child, then “shop” from the donated items to match gifts to individual kids. After selecting presents, volunteers wrap the gifts, so every child has something special to open this holiday season.

Thanks to donors like Shapiro’s staff and other community partners, SCCS expects to provide extra holiday joy to more than 800 children currently in custody.

SCCS is Summit County’s public children services agency, providing child welfare services including foster care. The agency also serves as first responders to reports of child abuse and neglect, answering thousands of calls every year to its anonymous, 24/7 hotline at (330) 434-KIDS.

Residents who want to support Summit County Children Services’ 2025 Holiday Programs can learn more and make a contribution by visiting https://www.summitkids.org/holidayprograms/.