WIBX Keeler Toy Drive Gets Early Boost

The annual WIBX Keeler Toy Drive got an early boost this week when a local business kicked-off their efforts for the Toy Drive with Christmas in October.

Nimey's Next Generation Auto on Dwyer Avenue in Utica is holding the pre-holiday event (see below) this Saturday in an effort to kick off their collection for the upcoming drive.  The collected toys will benefit the WIBX toy drive which works in conjunction with the Utica Observer Dispatch's Operation Sunshine.

"We're hoping other businesses in the area jump on board," said WIBX's Bill Keeler.  "During the off-season, we worked very hard to bring many of the area toy drives together to work under one umbrella to raise toys for local families. There's no reason for all of the competition, we're all working towards one common goal."

The United States Marine Corps League's 'Toys for Tots' has joined the efforts and will help serve families throughout the entire WIBX listening area; from Rome to the Valley and up to the North Country and south into Otsego and Madison Counties. Currently, the WIBX-Keeler Toy Drive is working with several partners including Time Warner Cable, WUTR-TV, FOX WFXV-TV, WPNY-TV, Utica Comets, Utica College, New York Sash and Utica Mack.

The toy drive officially kicks-off on Black Friday, November 27th and will run through the New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss on December 12th.