A former AlliedSignal employee, Steve Fields knows what Intermet-Ironton Iron employees are thinking.

Thursday, December 16, 1999

A former AlliedSignal employee, Steve Fields knows what Intermet-Ironton Iron employees are thinking.

"With the plant’s future closure, how can I spend money on Christmas presents," they must be saying to themselves.

But everyone deserves a Christmas, and Fields is making sure they get one.

In cooperation with the Oasis Drive-Thru and Carryout, Fields has set up a toy drive, for not just the children of Ironton Iron employees, but for needy children throughout the area, he said.

"I can’t imagine when I was younger not having a Christmas," Fields said. "I was always fortunate, but a lot of people are not. That, plus, I’m not working now. I know how it is. Since I’m not doing anything right now, I thought I’d do for someone else."

The toy drive will be set up outside the Oasis through Friday, Fields said.

And more than food is requested, he added.

"We’ll take new or used toys, clothing, food," Fields said. "I take the clothes home, wash them and wrap them up. I’m sure there’s someone out there who’d love this stuff. And I’d love to know that what I’ve done helped someone. It’s the whole Christmas holiday. I’ve always been into the spirit of the season."

Organizers of the toy drive, who include Fields, Oasis owner Dave Robinson and Charlotte Fields, also need to know the names of needy families.

Anyone who knows of someone needing a little help this holiday season may call 532-8337 or 533-0696.

"I’m sure there are a lot of needy people out there, we just need to know who they are," Fields said. "I want to get the word out. People who need this, that’s where I want it to go. And when they call, we’ll tell them where to pick up the gifts."

Anyone who would like to contribute to the toy drive and not able to make it this week may still drop items off at the Oasis Carryout on South Third Street in Ironton up until Christmas Eve, Fields said.