Local retailer kicks off toy donation campaign

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A Janesville based retailer is set to begin one of the regions earliest, and largest, charitable toy collection drives for Christmas. Blain’s Farm and Fleet CEO Jane Blain-Gilbertson says it only makes sense to kick off “Kids Helping Kids” with the opening of “Toyland” Saturday. Blain-Gilberton says donation bins are set up in each of the stores, and starting the campaign this early helps give community organizations time to distribute the gifts for those in need. Blain-Gilbertson says the idea began years ago with her own children when she wanted to find a way to teach them about giving. She says the communities in the retailer’s 42 store chain have embraced the program and never miss the $200 thousand goal.