Play matters: donate to toy drive

Kids cannot learn if they don't know how to play; and they cannot learn to play without the right toys. That is why "Go Public! Great Schools Are Everybody's Business" is holding a Toy and Learning Materials Drive for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights elementary school community from Dec. 5–16.

"The right type of play helps children think, create and solve problems, said Joan Spoerl, early childhood educator and founder of Go Public! "We want this drive to help put the right type of toys and learning materials in children's homes to support learning," she added.

Go Public! has developed a list of specific toys and materials for children ages 3 to 12. The list includes both new and gently used toys and games, from old reliable checkers and blocks to more contemporary toys and learning materials, such as those sold at Playmatters, a local independent toy store in Shaker Square. The list of preferred toys and games is available on the Go Public! website at http://www.gopublicchuh.org/www.gopublicchuh.org.

Michael Ziegenhagen, owner of Playmatters, will donate a play table to the new preschool program at Noble Elementary School. All those who purchase a toy for the drive from Playmatters will be entered in a drawing for a gift certificate.

Toys can be dropped off at all CH-UH elementary schools and the Coventry School building during regular school hours. Playmatters will take care of toy storage and delivery for items purchased there. For more information, contact Joan Spoerl at 216-371-3753 or joanspoerl@sbcglobal.net.

Lisa Manzari

Lisa Manzari is communications manager for Go Public! Great Schools are Everybody's Business.

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Volume 4, Issue 12, Posted 12:32 PM, 11.22.2011