Holiday Toy Team 9 will help the Brighton Center

NEWPORT, Ky. - With the holidays quickly approaching, there are many families struggling to make ends meet. 9 News has a toy drive coming up Dec. 1 that will make their holidays brighter.

Toys are one of the most important things to a child during the holidays because, let’s face it, the most important thing to kids is presents. We met the Caldwell family Wednesday: They are one of many families across the Tri-State that need assistance from the Brighton Center this year.

Barbara Caldwell told us, “It means a lot. They’ve helped with our bills and Christmas and Thanksgiving, and they’ve got the family based things for needy people.”

The help provided by the Brighton Center couldn’t have come at a better time for the Caldwells, as dad might not be home for the holidays.

“He works for a fencing company and he’s gone probably 90 percent of the time," Barbara said. "He’s going in a couple of months to the White House to put up a fence for Obama.”

And that’s where the Brighton Center steps in. Since 1966, helping people become self-sufficient. Brighton has assisted more than 74,000 people this year, and Toy Team 9 is just another way for all of us to help

Based in Newport, the center offers various services including, education, employment and training programs, and substance abuse recovery counseling, among others.

Bear Clifton of the Brighton Center explains, “Toy Team 9 is a huge blessing not only for the Brighton Center, for the families that we serve. We are seeing a big influx this year. Up to 60 percent of the people who come to us for help have never had to ask for help in their lives.”

On Dec. 1, the entire 9 News Team will appear in locations across the Tri-State collecting toys to help families in our community. Brian Yocono and Sarah Walters will be out at the Newport Kroger, collecting toys for the Brighton Center.

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