Boak, Salvation Army Partner on Toy Campaign

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Boak & Sons Inc. partnered with the Salvation Army and iHeart Media to raise money for Army of Toys to benefit the Mahoning County community.

This year, Boak & Sons, a residential and commercial exterior contractor, supported the campaign with a $10,000 donation. 

Supporting causes such as Toys for Tots is just one of the ways that Boak & Sons can give back to the community that has supported the company for so many years, Sam Boak, president and founder of Boak & Sons, said. 

“When you have so many blessings in life, it’s crucial that you share those blessings with others,” he said. 

A staggering number of children locally “don’t have the means to celebrate the joy and magic of Christmas, and by helping The Salvation Army, we’re able to remind those children that they are not forgotten and that they are loved,” he continued. “Each time we participate in something like this, my hope is that others follow by our example.”

In addition, Boak & Sons’ employees are encouraged to support Toys for Tots. Warehouse manager C.J. Zelonish, who began working at Boak & Sons when he was 13 and is now 25, has volunteered for Salvation Army for more than six years and this year collected more than $2,000 worth of toys from local businesses to distribute. 

For their efforts, Zelonish and Boak were awarded the 2020-2021 Army of Toys Volunteer Award by Salvation Army. 

Army of Toys campaign also partners with DeBartolo Corp. and Midas. Midas offers free oil changes for those who bring in a toy to donate. 

Any leftover toys that are not donated to children in Mahoning County are taken to the Akron Children’s Hospital Beeghly Campus in Boardman.

Other charitable causes and events Boak & Sons supports throughout the year include the Sleep in Heavenly Peace fundraiser, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and Warming Warren. 

Pictured: Majors Paul and Sherrylyn Moore, Mahoning County Area Services Salvation Army, present the Army of Toys Volunteer award to Sam Boak and C.J. Zelonish of Boak & Sons Inc.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.