An electrical fire destroyed more than 2,000 toys valued at $30,000 to $40,000 that the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland had collected for area childrenAn electrical fire destroyed more than 2,000 toys valued at $30,000 to $40,000 that the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland had collected for area children, leaving the organization working to replenish its supply ahead of the holiday season.

The toys were stored in a storage unit and intended for children ri receive gifts through the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas campaign. The loss affects about 800 children, according to Captain Joel Ashcraft, area commander for The Salvation Army in Greater Cleveland.

“It was just an electrical fire that happened—really, no one’s fault,” Ashcraft says. “These things happen, and thank God everyone is safe. Everyone is healthy.”

Although the fire occurred over the summer, its impact comes as the organization prepares to distribute toys and clothing to more than 6,500 children throughout Cuyahoga County this Christmas.

The Salvation Army collects toys year-round, with a goal of collecting 15,000 toys to distribute to distribute to local families. Losing 2,000 toys puts the campaign behind before the busiest part of the holiday season begins.

“We’re already down [with] 2,000 in the hole from where we thought we’d be,” Ashcraft says. “But we know the people of Cleveland are going to step up.”

Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland is now asking residents, businesses, and community groups to help replenish the supply through toy drives, online purchases, and financial contributions.

The Slavation Army is now trying to recover the lost toys collected to distribute during the holidays.s.“We need folks who are going to be another child’s hero this holiday season by stepping up and making a generous donation and being willing to supply kids so that they can have a magical holiday this coming year,” Ashcraft says.

The need for assistance continues to grow, he says, as rising prices leave families with tighter budgets for necessities and holiday gifts.

“Every year in Cleveland, we see that the need just continues to rise,” Ashcraft says. “Prices continue to go up, there’s nothing we can do about it. People’s disposable income continues to plummet.”

The Salvation Army tries to help bridge the budget gap to ensure every child it serves has at least one gift to open on Christmas morning.

“We want to make sure that every kid feels valued and they understand the inherent value that they have,” Ashcraft says. “We do that just by giving to them a toy that’s worthwhile and meaningful to them.”

Donated toys should be new and unwrapped, valued at $25 to $30 for children from infancy through age 12. Suggested gifts include sports balls, toy trucks, dolls, electronics, and other age-appropriate items.

Residents can purchase toys through the Salvation Army’s Walmart virtual Angel Tree registry. Shoppers select a toy online, and it is shipped directly to the Salvation Army. Financial contributions are also welcome and can be made directly to the Salvation Army Cleveland.

Additional ways to support the campaign include adopting an Angel at any participating Walmart from Nov. 14 through Dec. 15 and attending The Baldassarre Orchestra’s third annual Rock & Holiday Spectacular on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Toy donations will be collected at the concert.

The Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland collects toy donations year-round to distribute to area children during the holidays.Ashcraft says the organization is grateful for the support of Walmart and The Baldassarre Orchestra as it works to meet the needs of local children.

“We’re very proud of the work that we do,” he says. “We know it’s a need, so we’re glad to stand in the gap for those who need it the most.”

He emphasizes that the effort is about more than replacing the toys lost in the fire.

“We believe that no child should ever go without,” Ashcraft says. “And so we just want to make sure that every kid has a magical holiday.”

To donate or learn more about The Salvation Army’s Greater Cleveland Christmas campaign, call (216) 861-8185 or visit the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland’s website.