Oxford News

LIBERTY TWP. — Drew Friend's idea to donate his birthday gifts to some area families in need will be seen by a national audience today.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" episode featuring "Drew's Big Give" will air at 4 p.m. today on ABC, said

Don Halcombe,

a spokesman for the show.

Film crews from Oprah's show came to Liberty Twp. April 13, to film a two-hour procession of area residents who turned out to donate gifts for "Drew's Big Give" at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church.

The event evolved from Drew's birthday wish that a new batch of toys slated for delivery on his fifth birthday — Thursday, April 17 — be sent instead to those in need.

Jeannie O'Shaughnessey, Drew's preschool teacher at the church, used the charitable idea to send e-mails encouraging parents to donate necessary household items to a local family in need.

So far the church's efforts have helped two Liberty Twp. families, one Middletown family, one Trenton family and a second-year college student in Toledo.

More than three dozen members of the church transferred a wide array of items — including toys, clothing, furniture, electronics, appliances and bicycles — from residents' vehicles to two moving trucks, filling one to capacity.

Procter & Gamble's Tide division also presented a check for $10,000 for the effort.

Drew's parents, Shannon and Jeff Friend of Monroe, said the "Big Give" effort will continue until there are "no more items coming in and no more needing to go out."

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