BAINBRIDGE – Rock in the Park organizers presented a Chenango County Toys for Tots representative with a check for $7,300 Wednesday, money was raised during the 2nd annual Rock in the Park music extravaganza, which took place on August 10. The cash will be used to buy toys for local Chenango County children who otherwise might be subjected to a toyless Christmas.

The money donated from this month’s fundraiser represents the single largest donation of its kind to the local charity and is double that raised during last year’s Rock in the Park fundraiser.

“For the economy being depressed and for Erica and Jason to be able to accomplish this, it’s a testimony to the community,” said Chenango County Toys to Tots’ Roger Barnhart, a 28-year veteran of the organization who has served in any number of capacities, from operating collection boxes at shopping malls to whatever grunt work is needed.

Barnhart explained how the program truly belongs to the community. While a few organizers lend Toys for Tots a face, they are in many ways simply facilitators of the peoples’ will. As Barnhart explains it, if individuals did not want to spread the joy of Christmas, did not want to ensure disenfranchised youths were not robbed the glory of unwrapping gifts on a snowy Christmas morning, then the kids simply wouldn’t be able to.