Business & Tech
Winchester Toy Drive Gets Members Donating in More Ways Than One
Get in Shape for Women is accepting donations for the Toys for Tots program and also donating $1 for every pound members lose during the holiday season.
Bettering oneself and helping others often go hand-in-hand. One example can be found right here in Winchester, where is hosting a .
Unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Main St. location to be distributed to needy children during the holidays. But the drive doesn’t end there. Members have an additional incentive to lose weight during the holidays through the “You Lose. Everybody Wins” program. Between Nov. 14 and Dec. 14, Get In Shape For Women will donate $1 to Toys for Tots for every pound lost by its members.
“The toy drive is terrific because it benefits everyone. We focus on transforming lives in our studio, and this drive allows us to contribute to something that helps us reach out to the community and have a positive impact on the lives of even more people,” said Bob Kaplan, owner of the Winchester location, as well as three other local studios.
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Winchester Get In Shape For Women manager Tony Ferrao said staff and members have been very supportive of the donation program. Members have already brought in nearly two dozen toys, and Farrao expects that number to more than double by the end of the drive.
“Toys for Tots really fills a need and I’ve seen the Winchester community rally around this. This is truly a wonderful community where I feel people are willing to help out. . . . Not everyone has the means to provide a gift and I don’t think Winchester is any different. There are families out there who are struggling and we are more than happy to support such a great cause that can at least take some of the burden and hardship off the shoulders of some families by providing a toy to children in need,” Ferrao said.
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Since 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps has distributed toys to needy children through the Toys for Tots program. This is the first year Get in Shape for Women has been involved in the toy drive, but President and CEO of Get In Shape For Women Brian Cook thinks the two organizations are a great fit.
“Get In Shape For Women is committed to women’s health and the impact that strong, positive women can have on their families and communities. We’re very excited to bring together women from across the country to benefit so many children,” Cook said.
Get in Shape for Women will accept donations of unwrapped toys through Dec. 14.
