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Boy Sells His Toys to Help Family

By JANET DIGIACOMO
,
CNN
posted: 13 HOURS 11 MINUTES AGO
comments: 312
filed under: National News
Text SizeAAA
(July 20) -- An 11-year-old Ohio boy is helping ease his family's financial burdens, one toy at a time.
Zach McGuire is selling his toys to raise money for his family, which like others across the country, has bills piling up and a home in jeopardy.
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The youth said the idea came up during a conversation with his father.
"You can't live in toys, or eat toys," he told CNN television affiliate WNWO. "Even though they are fun, you don't need them."
Zach plans to use the proceeds for a good cause: helping his unemployed father.
Tom McGuire, a licensed contractor in Toledo, Ohio, has not had a job since December. The economy is partly to blame, he said, adding that he did a job last summer and never got paid.
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Watch video: Woman Bakes 'Mortgage Cakes' to Save Home
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As the general contractor on the job, he said, he was financially liable for materials and the work of two subcontractors. "I'm out $30,000," McGuire said.
The father said he is looking for work and is not relying on money from his son's toy sales. But he appreciates his effort.
"Zach has a big, giving heart," McGuire said. "He came to me with this idea. He wants to contribute."
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It's not the first time Zach has helped those in need. In 2005, he sold Kool-Aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina and raised $400. A few years later, it was "Cocoa for California," which he sold to help wildfire victims.
"I am very proud of him," McGuire told WNWO. "He is an 11-year-old boy not living the life of an 11-year-old."
Zach said everyone can do something.
"Even though they don't feel like they could do anything, they could do a Kool-Aid stand, like me," he said. "It's what you're doing that matters and how you're helping people."
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© 2009 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2009-07-20 10:30:49
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Jiggsjb

11:23 PMJul 21 2009

I THINK ITS VERY GENEROUS OF THE KID

AVG RATING:
(0)

KAKH1851

11:21 PMJul 21 2009

This father might be out $30k, but he has a son that is worth more than his weight in gold. This man has taught his son good values and I think he deserves credit for raising a good kid in such a troubled world. I hope their financial situation turns around soon. God knows if I could give this guy a job, I'd send him an offer because he sounds like a good man.

AVG RATING:
(0)

Kportguy1

09:10 PMJul 21 2009

I wonder how much more "Hope and Change" it will take before they are left out on the street with nothing.

AVG RATING:
(1)

O000H baby baby

08:51 PMJul 21 2009

hey CEO's, CFO's, and our Congress, .....think hard on what this boy is telling you....out of the mouth of babes.

AVG RATING:
(3)

Alee513

08:37 PMJul 21 2009

Garyj2me...Why not sell your brain to science so they can study the brain of a genuine MORON.

AVG RATING:
(0)

perfectbob387

08:31 PMJul 21 2009

How to Survive a NuclearAttack or Accident Seek shelter immediately. If you are in the vicinity of a nuclear detonation or the accidental release of radiation, seek shelter immediately. The majority of people killed at Hiroshima did not die from the thermal blast but from radioactive particles in fall-out. Stay underground for 48 hours. The deeper underground you can go, the safer you will be. Try to find a basement or subterranean garage with concrete roof. Radioactive energy dissipates to 1/100th of its initial strength within 48 hours so stay in your temporary shelter for a minimum of two full days, longer if possible. Take Potassium Iodide tablets. The thyroid gland has an unusual capacity to absorb large amounts of radiation, which can be fatal; but potassium iodide tablets, such as RadBlock, saturate the thyroid with non-radioactive iodine so that it cannot absorb radiation. Take these tablets as soon as you learn of a nuclear incident

AVG RATING:
(1)

CheerCurlz

08:16 PMJul 21 2009

I'm impressed with the lady who is selling apple cakes to help pay her mortgage. Good for her!

AVG RATING:
(4)

zaczacsmith

08:06 PMJul 21 2009

It is said many politic men like to go ****Blackwhite Loving.com*** to find lovers. The ladies who date with them explose it.

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(2)

Terekell1

08:00 PMJul 21 2009

Steelers2116, My son-in-law didn't get paid from his last job either. You tell me how in the hell you sue someone when you don't have money. Some of you peiople need to wake up, not everyone has a job and finding one is the hardest thing I ever had to do.

AVG RATING:
(6)

NikkiB73NJ

07:53 PMJul 20 2009

In these hard times, I think this generation of kids are learning a valuable lesson. More parents are having to say no to their kids requests. While it is hard at first, they are learning what is really important. My 11 yr old son recently lost his retainer. I was unsure where the money to replace it would come from. He came to me with about a dozen of his Nintendo DS games to sell to help offset the cost of a replacement. Not only did it cover about half of the cost, he felt it was his responsibility becuase he lost it in the first place. It is those moments that reassure me that I'm doing a good job with my boys.

AVG RATING:
(5)

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