CHESAPEAKE, Va. — What we’re doing is bringing truckloads of toys for the kids,” said Joe Fleming, “One Hour loves the kids.”
For more than 10 years, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning has donated toys to kids in local shelters that they’ve bought and collected.
And while Fleming and his team didn’t ride in on a sleigh with nine reindeer like Santa, they are responsible for children having a Merry Christmas.
Watch previous coverage: News 3's 2024 Holiday Helpers campaign collecting donations for families in need
“It’s a beautiful feeling knowing we’re going to be providing toys for the kids like this,” Fleming said.
It’s part of News 3’s Holiday Helpers campaign in partnership with the For Kids nonprofit. The campaign allows families experiencing homelessness to shop for toys at For Kids headquarters in Chesapeake.
“When our kids and families experience homelessness, a lot of times in that journey moving from place to place and relatives’ homes, the kids lose all their toys. So, there is just a sense of relief from the parents that they can come in, and their kids can have a great Christmas,” For Kids CEO Thaylor McCormick said.
Watch related coverage: Salvation Army of the Virginia Peninsula scrambles to buy gifts for 100+ kids
McCormick tells me donations were slow early on, but she’s feeling hopeful she will have toys for the 1,400 kids who have been identified as needing gifts this Christmas.
“We’ve certainly had an onslaught of toys in the last two days, so we’re working hard getting them all sorted, prepped, and ready to go,” she said.
This year, they are on track to serve 200 more children than last year with the help of companies like One Hour and YOU, our News 3 viewers.
Watch related coverage: Donations for holiday packages being collected for Hampton Roads sailors
“It kind of gives people hope that they are not alone, that people care about where they are in their life struggle,” McCormick said.
The jolly elves at One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning and the tireless volunteers at For Kids are positively making the season brighter for families in Hampton Roads.
