An impromptu holiday collection drive spurred by a weed growing at a West Toledo intersection adorned in Christmas decorations is getting some help from city officials.
We never thought it was a bad little weed. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needed a little love from Toledo! #christmasweed 🎄 pic.twitter.com/U9ibCHdAIa
— The Blade (@toledonews) December 19, 2018
The city, in partnership with Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful, set out donation bins at the corner of Secor and Alexis Roads to collect non-perishable food, winter outerwear, shoes, and other items that will then be distributed to a variety of local charitable organizations.
If you’re looking for ways to contribute to those less fortunate this Holiday season, we’re dropping off donation bins at #TheChristmasWeed🎄. Please use caution when in the area. We want everyone to have a safe & happy holiday season! Even the Weed. https://t.co/N37wzauMmU
— City of Toledo (@city_of_toledo) December 19, 2018
Toledo’s ‘Christmas Weed’ started when someone decorated a large weed at Alexis and Secor roads in Toledo. Now more people are stopping to add decorations or get their pictures taken with the Christmas weed.
Riley the Recycler mascot dropped the bins off Wednesday afternoon, and they’ll stay in place through Christmas Day.
Christmas weed’s short tenure has already drawn national attention through reports and social media. The Washington Post was among outlets providing coverage.
Lt. Kevan Toney, Toledo police spokesman, praised the holiday spirit but urged personal safety around the busy intersection. Authorities do not want a tragedy to occur because of something fun and good.
Police ask donors use collection bins on nearby grass and, if taking pictures, stay on the sidewalk. Items in the bins will be delivered to those in need. After Christmas, volunteers are in place to clean up the site, Lieutenant Toney, said.
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, wearing a Santa hat and ugly holiday cardigan, read a proclamation he wrote Wednesday in honor of the Christmas weed. City officials shared a video of the festive reading on social media.
Penned in the style of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” — more commonly known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas” — the proclamation praised the simple act of holiday cheer that turned into a collection site for food, clothes, and books for those in need.
“T’was a week before Christmas, and along on a walk, a Toledoans spotted a large plant in a rock. And to this Toledoan’s wandering eyes it should appear, to be a Christmas miracle, sprouting proudly in the square,” the mayor read in front of two computer monitors displaying a flickering fire.
He commended the tree’s ability to spread viral joy, and he invited all in Toledo to celebrate its lesson “of camaraderie and community” in the city.
“As the season passes, and the tree fades away, this joyful lesson to our residents, we hope will stay: we are better, together, in every way,” the proclamation said.
Jupmode is printing shirts to mark Christmas weed’s joyful ascent. John Amato, company president, said it is their way to participate and help present Toledo in a positive light.
“When things like this happen, this is what we do,” Mr. Amato said.
The apparel depicts a plant with decorations and gifts above a message of “O Christmas weed, O Christmas weed.”
Christmas season is about finding hope in usual places, and it’s nice to see wide attention on Christmas weed, he said.
“We just think it’s a really fun little story,” Mr. Amato said.
First Published December 19, 2018, 4:15 p.m.
