photo by: Joselyn King

Bryan Fato, center, executive manager of Straub Automotive, stands with Fred Brunner, left, and John Labriola of the Wheeling Marine Corps League. Straub Automotive donated an estimated 1,000 items to the local Toys For Tots toy drive.

TRIADELPHIA — Straub Automotive donated more than 1,000 toys to the local “Toys For Tots” campaign on Friday, and the effort was especially needed this year, according to campaign organizers.

Members of the Wheeling Marine Corps League came to Straub Nissan at The Highlands to pick up the toys, which are being distributed to local families next week.

“When the Toys For Tots program came back into our area three years ago, our team members decided they wanted to help, participate in this and spread some Christmas joy to families who might not otherwise be able to afford a Christmas for their children,” said Bryan Fato, executive manager of Straub Automotive.

He noted there are about 200 employees across all seven Straub Automotive dealerships, and customers also donated toys to the toy drive.

“We do have a great team,” Fato continued. “Each year, their generosity keeps getting more and more. “We always think, how can we outdo this? But we always do.”

The team starts collecting in the middle of November around the time of black Friday, he said.

There are boxes in the showrooms, and a “stuff the truck” event as well. The truck used this year was a Nissan Frontier.

“As one of the last family-owned car dealers, we couldn’t be more proud of our team,” Fato said. “They continue to support those in our community who have supported us for so long.”

Last year, Straub Automotive employees donated about 800 toys, according to John Labriola, senior vice commandant for the Wheeling Marine Corps League who serves as local coordinator for Toys for Tots.

The Straub team is the largest single contributor to the Toys For Tots drive, and the donation of about 1,000 toy items is especially important this year as donations are running behind expectations, he said.

“We are running a little bit short on donations this year, and that just means I have to go out and shop,” he continued.

Labriola noted donations were done, and he was picking up the last boxes on Friday. There would be some additional shopping over the weekend.

The toys are being handed out to families on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Without Straub backing us, we would be out shopping and spending more money than what I want to do,” Labriola said. “Having 1,000 toys here is huge. That’s a lot of shopping carts.”