COLUMBUS – The organizers of an annual effort to provide holiday dinners to more than 1,000 families will not be slowed down by the coronavirus.
As they have for the last 13 years, the volunteers behind Wagons Ho Ho Ho plan to build over 1,000 wagons, fill them with Christmas dinners and distribute them to families in need in more than 20 counties throughout central Ohio.
The effort was created by RMD Advertising when the agency took the budget that had been earmarked for client holiday gifts and bought 25 wagons, built them in the agency’s office and distributed them to community members. Since then, the Wagons Ho Ho Ho train has grown to 1,500 wagons, filled by 700 volunteers.
The agency’s annual Build Day, when wagons are constructed and filled, is scheduled for Dec. 5 and has been spread out from one location to three to accommodate the volunteers and allow for safe social distancing and other health precautions.
Part of the fund-raising effort during Giving Tuesday Dec. 1 is an online auction for a wagon that has been signed by celebrities, including actor Tim Allen and chef Ted Allen.
Those wishing to contribute can also buy t-shirts or join the organization’s Facebook fundraising team.