WGTS Teams Up with ABC Affiliate to collect Toys for Tots

Story by Jerry Woods

In spite of a soggy start to the morning, WGTS listeners, along with community members, came with generous donations for the Toys for Tots toy drive in Arlington, Va., at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Thousands of toys were donated for this WGTS Hands and Heart project and will be distributed in area counties by Toys for Tots and affiliates. Toys for Tots has been providing toys to children for 75 years, since 1947. 

Throughout the day WGTS team members broadcasted live from the Iwo Jima Memorial and encouraged listeners to come out. WGTS morning show host Jerry Woods went on the air with ABC 7 to talk about the toy drive and various ABC anchors came on the air with WGTS.

“Thank YOU!!!  It was fabulous having you all there Saturday, and we couldn’t have done it without you!” said ABC 7 public affairs director Bonnie Wood.

“People from all walks of life in the D.C. area came together to embrace kids at Christmas and let them know how valued they are. And they did it in the middle of a rainstorm, but it didn’t matter because listeners were all there for a common purpose,” said Ken Scribner WGTS director of promotions and community engagement.

As part of the ongoing Toys for Tots campaign, another 1,500 toys were collected the evening before at the WGTS Casting Crowns concert and will also be given to area families and children. “Spreading joy, whether it is with toys, pajamas, or meals, to families and children in need, is the purpose of the Hands and Heartprojects WGTS does. And we are thankful to the listeners, who are wonderfully generous each time, says Kevin Krueger, president, and CEO.