LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Local non-profits are disappointed that Amazon is ending their donations through the AmazonSmile program.

It definitely didn’t sound like sleigh bells, but it was traveling around West Central Ohio to help Santa put smiles on the faces of kids at Christmas Time. ABATE OHIO Region 3 held their 37th annual Toy Run Sunday afternoon.  Over 230 motorcycles crisscrossed Allen County to help raise money to buy presents for kids.   Last year, they raised around $18,000 to help provide gifts to over 100 kids.  Besides the run there were auction items, a raffle, and other fundraising going on at the fairgrounds to help as many children as possible this Christmas.

Megan Fisher is the founder and executive director of Voices of Prosperity and she had this to say, “I personally have seen the numbers grow each time looking forward to our smiling faces and just having fun with each other. During COVID this population was really left out. They were very isolated like so many others and we wanted to just be a beacon to come and say we’re friends, we’re here let’s have fun together and we’ve been doing that this whole last year.”

All the smiles on the faces of the people attending the Children’s Hometown Holiday can be attributed to the vision of Elaine Poppe. She has spent over15 years, ensuring the kids and their families have a wonderful Christmas memory in Wapakoneta. From getting a gift from Santa, to taking a spin on the ice-skating rink, enjoying a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown, or one of the dozens of activities over the three-day event, and all of it is free.

Students at Freedom elementary got a big surprise Friday thanks to Santa and the Lima Exchange Club. For over 30 years, the club has teamed up with Freedom Elementary to give Christmas presents to the young students.  The students got books, treats and toys to play with.  But also joining the team this year, is Nutrien who helped provide some clothing items like, hats, gloves, and socks for the kids.  In all the group handed out presents to around 240 students.  While the kids were excited about the gifts, the club members are equally excited about doing it.

The Christmas Tree festival is back and people and organization around Delphos went all out to help make the holidays a little brighter.  This is the 23rd year for the Celebrate Christmas festival, and the Delphos Canal Commission Museum had a special night viewing Thursday of the 100 Christmas decorations and trees that community members and organizations put together.  This year’s theme is “Christmas Legends,” which got interpreted many ways, including “The King” Elvis Presley, legendary characters like the Nutcracker, and a tribute to local legend the late Jim Schrader who helped bring smile to many as Santa for many years.   The festival was canceled last year because of the pandemic, but the trustees are glad to bring it back to show off the trees and the museum to the community.