Tough Times, Tough Weather Doesn't Hamper Giving Spirit

DES MOINES, IA (01/11/2010)(readMedia)-- This holiday season proved more difficult than most for many Iowans. The continued economic downturn, severe winter weather conditions, and rising unemployment made it tough for families to make ends meet, let alone provide gifts for their children.

Thanks to Children & Families of Iowa (CFI), and Applebee's and Carlos O'Kelly's restaurants, thousands of Iowa children who would have had nothing to open on Christmas morning, received a present. Even blizzard-like conditions did not deter community members from opening their hearts and dropping off toys for children in need.

"It's an amazing feeling to know that you've brought a little hope and happiness to someone," says Children & Families of Iowa "Toys For Kids" drive coordinator Kara Shore. "We were so overwhelmed with the outpouring of generosity of others as community members from all over the state donated toys. It is always incredible to see such compassion in people."

For the past seven years, CFI has partnered with Applebee's and Carlos O'Kelly's restaurants to bring new, unwrapped, non-violent toys to children statewide. The "Toys For Kids" drive wrapped up the last week of December. To date, the Des Moines Metro area Carlos O'Kelly's and Applebee's restaurants have collected 1,488 toys. These toys were distributed to children who would not have any presents to open this holiday season. Statewide, more than 3,800 toys were collected and distributed through partnerships with community-based, children and family services to ensure that the donations reached children in need.

Children & Families of Iowa is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope, building futures and changing lives across Iowa. With offices in Fort Dodge, Des Moines, Ankeny, Osceola and Centerville, Children & Families of Iowa helped more than 21,200 individuals in all of Iowa's 99 counties last year alone. Since its inception in 1888, Children & Families of Iowa estimates it has served more than half a million children, adults and teens.

###