We Are Ohio donates $20,000 to Toys for Tots, foodbanks

Anti-SB 5 group had $731,210 left after ballot campaign.

COLUMBUS — The Marines’ Toys for Tots program and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks each received checks for $10,000 on Tuesday from “We Are Ohio,” the union-backed coalition that defeated Issue 2 on Nov. 8.

The defeat repealed Senate Bill 5, which restricted public employee collective bargaining. Sgt. Jose Ranero of Toys for Tots said its check would be used to provide toys for as many as 1,000 youngsters. Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the food banks’ group, said the donation would provide food for as many as 1,600 families for three days.

The money will come from a balance of $731,210 that We Are Ohio had after the group’s campaign. Campaign finance reports showed that the group raised nearly $30 million to defeat Issue 2. Dennis Willard, We Are Ohio spokesman, said the group is considering how to use the rest of the money as it determines its own future.

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