Opening Hearts and Pocketbooks
Blonde, bespectacled Emily Tarr eyed the little red wagon for a good half-hour. “I really like it a lot,” said the 4-year-old from New Boston, touching the cart’s sturdy side panels.
Terrance Chambers, 8, of Inkster, tagged “a really cool blue bike.” His sister, Jasmine, 11, was in search of the perfect doll.
These kids and thousands of others from Michigan’s downriver area benefited from the Toys for Tots giveaway Dec. 17 at the General Motors’ Romulus Engine Plant. The giveaway, co-sponsored by UAW Local 163, raised a record $43,000.
Hundreds of toys and 305 bicycles were purchased with the funds, collected from Local 163 workers at the GM plant, along with donations from suppliers, local businesses and dealerships.
“This is what it’s all about. We make a lot of kids very, very happy, and each year it gets better and better,” said Larry Long, president of Local 163.
Shop Chairman Rick O’Donnell said the local has been involved for 12 years with the drive, which started with canned goods. Five years ago, GM got involved.
“It’s become a huge event, so much so that people work full time on this now,” said O’Donnell, a 26-year veteran at the plant.
