Topekans pitch in with shipping, more toys for Iraqi kids
9:38 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Topeka — Topekans are stepping up and doing their part to send toys from Topeka to Iraq.
Army mom Amy Cantrell and kids in her southwest Topeka neighborhood have collected about 600 small cars for kids in Iraq.
Cantrell's son, Nick, is serving in Sadr City, and soldiers in his unit hand out toys to Iraqi children.
The folks at our media partner, V100, saw our story and took it from there.
"You hear about these stories nationwide, in Mississippi or in Oregon, about these little small things that make a big difference overseas," said V100 Morning Show Host Joey Baggz. "And it was just kinda unique to see one that's happening here in Topeka."
In no time, Joey and the crew had lined up help to ship the 600 toys already collected, and decided to ask listeners for even more.
"Two or three dollars to make that small difference between not just a child but a soldier, United States soldier and a child," said Baggz. "You can't really get that too many places, that connection."
And for one soldier's mom, who wanted to collect a few toys to help her son reach out...
"I'm just overwhelmed," said Amy Cantrell.
And you never know what a few small toys might lead to.
"Maybe Matchbox cars is the secret to world peace," said Baggz. "Maybe that's what it is. Maybe we've all been thinking it's these other things, but maybe it's a '67 Camaro."
V100 is collecting more Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys for kids in Iraq.
Drop them off at their studios, 9th and Kansas, or at any V100 event, including this Saturday's motorcycle show at Prairie Band Casino.
Also, Briggs Kia said it would handle the shipping, not only for the cars already collected by Cantrell's neighborhood kids, but also additional toys collected by V100.
Watch Ben Bauman's original story on this toy project here.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, to give the weather on TV.
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