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Article updated: 12/1/2012 2:33 PM

One reader kick-starts area toy drive to help children

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Always looking for a good cause, Walt Meder, 90, of Arlington Heights came up with the idea and the first donation in the WINGS — Daily Herald Hope for the Holidays campaign.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

"Sometimes things linger until there's a spark," says Walt Meder, a 90-year-old Arlington Heights man whose idea about a toy drive caught fire under the direction of M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald's assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

"Sometimes things linger until there's a spark," says Walt Meder, a 90-year-old Arlington Heights man whose idea about a toy drive caught fire under the direction of M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald's assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

Touched by the kindness he received throughout his life, Walt Meder, 90, of Arlington Heights, hugs M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald's assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation, to celebrate the launching of a new charitable effort to provide holiday gifts to needy kids.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

"Sometimes things linger until there's a spark," says Walt Meder, a 90-year-old Arlington Heights man whose idea about a toy drive caught fire under the direction of M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald's assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

The kindness of strangers helped Walt Meder during his arduous childhood. Now the 90-year-old Arlington Heights resident is joining with Daily Herald Assistant Vice President M. Eileen Brown to launch a Hope for the Holidays campaign to benefit the children of homeless and abused women served by WINGS.

Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

About this Article

As a boy working to help his family during the Depression, Walt Meder learned the power of strangers' kindness. That's why the 90-year-old Arlington Heights resident donated money and persuaded the Daily Herald to launch a Hope for the Holidays toy drive for needy suburban children. Here's how you can donate, too.

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Daily Herald's holiday toy drive amazes benefactor
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    • Always looking for a good cause, Walt Meder, 90, of Arlington Heights came up with the idea and the first donation in the WINGS — Daily Herald Hope for the Holidays campaign.
    • “Sometimes things linger until there’s a spark,” says Walt Meder, a 90-year-old Arlington Heights man whose idea about a toy drive caught fire under the direction of M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald’s assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation.
    • “Sometimes things linger until there’s a spark,” says Walt Meder, a 90-year-old Arlington Heights man whose idea about a toy drive caught fire under the direction of M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald’s assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation.
    • Touched by the kindness he received throughout his life, Walt Meder, 90, of Arlington Heights, hugs M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald’s assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation, to celebrate the launching of a new charitable effort to provide holiday gifts to needy kids.
    • “Sometimes things linger until there’s a spark,” says Walt Meder, a 90-year-old Arlington Heights man whose idea about a toy drive caught fire under the direction of M. Eileen Brown, the Daily Herald’s assistant vice president and director of strategic marketing and innovation.
    • The kindness of strangers helped Walt Meder during his arduous childhood. Now the 90-year-old Arlington Heights resident is joining with Daily Herald Assistant Vice President M. Eileen Brown to launch a Hope for the Holidays campaign to benefit the children of homeless and abused women served by WINGS.
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