Children sit for group photo with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, JAKKS Pacific Toys and YMCA.
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VINCENNES — Pacers Sports & Entertainment and JAKKS Pacific Toys teamed up with the YMCA of Vincennes to host a toy giveaway event Wednesday afternoon.
The event was a part of the Indiana Pacers’ season of giving, providing toys for Hoosier families in need.
The Big Toy Giveaway has happened annually since 2009 thanks to the relationship between Founder & CEO of JAKKS Pacific Toys Stephen Berman, and the Simon family, who own Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Associate Director of Community Engagement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment Richie Smith said they have been able to go statewide in those 16 years and have donated more than half a million toys to different local organizations all over the state.
He said that the overall goal of the Pacers, Fever and Pacers Sports & Entertainment is the celebration of the holidays and getting involved with the different communities to give back. Smith said one of those ways to get around the state was partnering with the YMCA and giving kids in need a joyful holiday season.
“We know it’s tough out there sometimes,” Smith said. “And the more cheer we can spread… the better it makes everybody feel. It’s just our way of giving back and hopefully putting smiles on some youth faces.”
The giveaway also had appearances by Indiana Fever mascot Freddy Fever and a couple members of the Indiana Pacemates, the dance team of the Indiana Pacers. Children at the giveaway got to select a toy from the various tables in YMCA’s third gym and get their picture taken with Santa Claus. Cookies and punch were served as refreshments at the event.
Smith said the chance to get out and go around the state is what makes the Big Toy Giveaway special for the Pacers organization and the YMCA.
“We love going around the state and especially getting to some of the smaller communities,” he said. “Because that doesn’t always happen with professional teams, but we love to do that, and we find that as a really big piece of our community and giving back.”
Freddy Fever hands out toys to kids at the Big Toy Giveaway event.
DALTON EWER/The Sun-Commercial
Bill Davis, COO of the YMCA of Vincennes, said it was fantastic that the YMCA was able to offer the event to families and to the community as a whole. He mentioned getting to bring some joy to families and children during the holiday season is really the core of the YMCA.
“It fits right into our YMCA mission to a tee,” Davis said. “We’re here for the community. This is a community event, and we couldn’t be more proud and happy to be able to host this toy giveaway.”
Davis went on to say the people in the Vincennes community love the event and mentioned how, along with the Pacers and JAKKS Pacific Toys, others have stepped up and provided as well.
“We’ve also had various board members of the YMCA step up and other members in the community step up, too,” he said. “To help provide more toys so we can actually carry this on for a two-day event and do it again on Saturday.”
Toy giveaway events are scheduled in seven different cities, consisting of Bloomington, Indianapolis, Knightstown, Muncie, Noblesville, Plymouth, and finally Vincennes.
The toy giveaway in Vincennes was open to the public, as well as the next toy giveaway in Knightstown Dec. 16.