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This year, the city of Georgiana worked hard making sure every child received a gift this Christmas. Mayor Jerome Antone and other members of the community welcomed an estimated 150 children of all ages to the Nutrition Center for a special event called, “Toys for Tots.”

Now an annual event for the city, Antone shared, “It started about 6 years ago and during that time we have given out over $21,000 worth of bikes, and over $13,000 of toys through donations.”

Open to the public, Antone allows all children to attend. “I do not turn any children away. They come from all over Butler County, even outside of Butler County. Because they are children, if they come they get something,” said Antone.

Collecting donations over the past two weeks, Antone was very thankful to the generous donations. “Everybody is very giving. They did not disappoint us; we have people give from $100 to $1,000.” With those funds, the city was able to give out toys and bicycles of all varieties. Antone explained, “Each child is able to get 3-4 toys. Some will have an opportunity to win a bike. It is a blessing that the city of Georgiana can do this for our children. Tonight is one of those nights each and every Due to the fact there are not 200 children here tonight, some will have 8 toys and a bike and that is a good Christmas!”

Overall, Antone considers the effort a way to give back to the community.

“It is all about the community and helping the children in the community for those who don’t have anything for Christmas, which I can understand from when I was a child,” he said. “I do this for the community. It is one way I serve the community for toys for tots.”

Most of all, it is the children that hold a special place in his heart. Antone concluded, “They’ll leave here tonight with a smile on their face, and it will leave me with an even bigger smile on my face to see these children with a smile on their face.”