HOWLAND - By the time Lexi's toy drive wraps up, she hopes to line the floor and walls of her grandmother's shop with donated gifts for needy children.
"I think with the hard times that are coming, more children and families will need help," said Alexis "Lexi" Cintron, a third-grader at Lloyd Elementary in Austintown.
Lexi is holding her second annual toy drive to benefit Toys for Tots at the Spalon of Sara Morris on East Market Street. It runs through Dec. 17.
Morris, Lexi's grandmother, said Lexi came up with the idea on her own last year.
''We drove all those toys to a TV station and the Marines came and picked them up. This year, they said they'd come here to get the toys, they were so impressed with Lexi's effort,'' Morris said.
Every year, Lexi and her parents would pick an angel off the ''Angel Tree'' and buy gifts for needy children listed there.
''Last year she said, 'Well, Amma, I can do that,''' Morris said.
Last year, Lexi collected 250 toys for the Toys for Tots, surpassing her goal of 200. This year she's hoping to hit 300 or 400 toys.
''I want to help other children,'' she said. ''There are so many people who don't have any Christmas at all. I hope I can help them be happy.''
The toy drive kicked off Friday at the Spalon, 5000 E. Market St., Howland, as part of the business' Holiday Open House. Already, more than 100 toys had been dropped off.
To donate, take a new, unwrapped toy to the business.
