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Sunday, 12 December, 2010 1:51 AM

102.9 W4 Country is hosting Toys for Tots drive at Kroger on Maple Rd. in Ann Arbor

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com 102.9 W4 Country's Mandy Cooke and Adam Rey broadcast live from inside the Maple Road Kroger store.

by Jason Rzucidlo americajr@americajr.com

WATCH: Highlights and Interviews at 102.9 W4 Country's Toys for Tots Drive

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- 102.9 W4 Country (WWWW-FM) is collecting Toys for Tots during its annual Christmas Crusade for Kids at the Kroger store located at 400 S. Maple Road in Ann Arbor. The toy drive began on Friday, Dec. 10 and ends on Wednesday, Dec. 15. The radio station has not set a goal, however last year it raised 16,000 toys and $16,000 in cash donations. The entire W4 air staff will broadcast live all week long from inside the grocery store. Although the economy is still in bad shape, some say we are out of the recession.

"We're here, we do it annually, collecting toys and you've got to think from baby to teenager," said Mandy Cooke, mid-day host on W4 Country. "We're also taking cash and check donations here until Wednesday. Cash donations are much appreciated if you don't know what to get. I'm not sure if there's any goal, it's just a lot. That's my goal, bring a lot."

W4 Country is on location at the Kroger store asking for your toys and monetary donations from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. This is the seventh year the radio station has been hosting the toy drive.

"I dropped off four cars, they are NASCAR cars," said Terri DeBottis of Chelsea, Mich., who has been supporting Toys for Tots for the last 10 years. "I just think kids need things for Christmas. Good Luck!"

Each year, listeners come out to support their local country station and drop off toys. The greatest need is for the older children -- teenagers. Listeners always bring more than enough toys for the young ones first. Some of the items requested for the teens include CDs, DVDs, science kits, telescopes, make-up, among others.

"How better to know that your donation is going exactly where you want it to go than to put it in the hands of a Marine," said Adam Rey, W4 Country's afternoon host. "I find every year the easiest thing to buy is teddy bears and things like that for the really young ones. The hardest stuff to get is the stuff for the teenagers. I really feel that teenagers is where you want to hit home with this if you're going to go out and make a purchase decision."

The country radio station will use the monetary donations to purchase additional toys for The Marines' Toys for Tots campaign. All of the toys collected will be given to less fortunate children in the area. The toys will stay in the area where they are donated.

"This is my second year and I love doing it because I have a little one at home," Cooke added. "It just kind of warms my heart knowing I'm making a little bit of a difference helping out the little ones that aren't as spoiled as mine. Just come on out, we're waiting for ya. The babies need your help."

The radio station is in the same great location as last year. In previous years, it was held inside the Oak Valley Centre and Briarwood Mall. This year, the Toys for Tots drive is located inside the Kroger Store at 400 S. Maple Road in Ann Arbor, two exits west of State Street off of I-94.

"They'll go from here to the warehouse to the Marine Corps.," Rey explained. "In that warehouse, the parents in need will shop the warehouse for what they need and really easy stuff. I think this will be my sixth year pretty sure. Come to Kroger, South Maple, Ann Arbor. The life of a child, make a difference."

For listeners who can't make it out to the drop-off location, there are satellite locations at:

Business Name	Address
All KeyBank branches	100 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 3848 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 2207 W. Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 2421 Plymouth Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 301 W. Michigan Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 2225 Washtenaw Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 100 W. Michigan Ave. Saline, MI 1478 Chelsea Manchester Rd. Chelsea, MI 8199 Challis Rd. Brighton, MI 37124 Six Mile Rd. Livonia, MI 300 W. Chicago Blvd. Tecumseh, MI 14101 S. Custer Rd. Dundee, MI
Marrs & Terry Law Firm	6553 Jackson Rd. Ann Arbor, MI
Chelsea Rentals	20401 W. Old US Highway 12 Chelsea, MI
Duncan Chiropractic	8685 Grand River Ave. Brighton, MI
Suburban Chevrolet/Cadillac	3515 Jackson Rd. Ann Arbor, MI

For more information on W4 Country's Toys for Tots drive, visit www.w4country.com.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

The Toys for Tots box looked a little low on the first day.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

However, it is sure to be full over the next few days.