Jamie Radtke, of Plach, said Plach donated a total of $1,810 toward the purchase of toys. In addition Plach accepted toy donations and cash to fill the back of a pickup truck. A total of $497 was collected in the cash donation box.
Using the New London Chamber of Commerce stimulus program, Radtke said an additional $40 was gained to purchase toys. That meant a total of $2,347 was used to purchase new toys to go with the toys that were donated at the dealership.
This was the third year Plach has conducted the toy drive, and the second year the toys have been donated to the New London Community Cupboard for the “toy room.” Parents are allowed to “shop” in the toy room and select toys to wrap and give to their children for Christmas.
“This year has been phenomenal. We’ve had so many people bringing in bags of donations, not just one or two toys, but bags of toys,” Radtke said.
Radtke added that Kim Ebert, New London Community Cupboard director, told her that over the last five years, this year’s toy donations were the highest.
“It feels good to be able to give to the community we live in,” Radtke said. “It’s good to see all the generosity.”