Page 3 - The Wayne Dispatch

Businessman helps local children this Christmas

By Carolyn Marnon With John as his mentor and
The story starts with a little boy biggest motivator, Scott has set a
in Kosovo whose only knowledge of goal to fill the stage at US 12 with
Christmas is time spent with friends huge boxes filled with toys that will
and family. There are no presents in- then be delivered to the Toys for Tots
volved in these Christmas celebra- local chapter. “All are welcome that
tions. In Kosovo, “You are lucky if care to help,” says Scott about the
someone had a car,” says this now- event. “Please share, spread the
grown boy, Scott Gocaj, manager of word. It’s not about us. It’s about the
US 12 Bar and Grill in Wayne. kids. Together, we make a differ-
Scott, his siblings (John, Cindy ence.”
and the “late, great Skender” who Admission to US 12 (34824 W.
died in 2003) and his parents, Mike Michigan Ave.) for the charity event
and Mona Gocaj, arrived in the US is either a new, unwrapped toy or a
after immigrating from Kosovo in cash donation to Toys for Tots at the
1979. Mike and Mona built a family door. Help make a child’s Christmas
business with Omega Restaurant dream come true. No child should go
(now US 12) where they worked without a toy at Christmas. Be part
hard for their American Dream. of the team!
Scott says he would spend his days If you are unable to attend the
bussing tables, filling cups of coffee event but still want to help, you are
and cleaning, all at a very young age. welcome to drop off a new, un-
“Christmas was a busy day,” he re- wrapped toy during US 12’s regular
calls. But it would be 7-8 years after business hours through December
coming to America that the Gocaj 16.
children would learn that there was
more to Christmas than spending
time with family. Scott Gocaj is prepared to receive your donation. Admission to the US 12 fundraiser Did you know?
Older brother John injured his for the charity event is either a new, unwrapped toy or a cash donation to Toys for • Toys for Tots was started in
leg during the Christmas season one 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve
year and had to spend time in the Tots at the door. Major Bill Hendricks when his wife
hospital. The family would fre- time, Scott wondered who gave them 6:00 p.m. until closing. asked him to deliver a few of her
quently visit John. One day there ap- the gifts and why the gifts were given “The event is near and dear to our handmade dolls to an agency that
peared 3 giant garbage bags full of to them, but “the cat was out of the hearts because it helps kids around helps children in need.
presents in John’s room with some- bag!” he exclaims, and there was no our area that are less fortunate to • Walt Disney was a personal
one telling John to share it all with returning to life as it was. Every year make sure they aren’t going without friend of Bill’s and designed the first
his family. Scott says he doesn’t since, the family has given each other a Christmas,” said Scott. Scott, John Toys for Tots poster.
know who collected all these toys gifts at Christmas. He is thankful he and their friend, Pete Cimeot, de- • When Bill could not find an
they received, but “I’ll never forget it,” and his siblings can now give their cided in 2016 to throw a party and organization to donate his wife’s
he says. This was his first American own kids the Christmas experience. get all of their friends together be- dolls to, she told him to start one.
Christmas experience, and he loved Scott, his wife Rachel, and the cause “there’s no way we could do That year, 5000 toys were collected
it! He remembers the Get Along rest of the Gocaj family want to pay anything by ourselves that will make and distributed by Bill’s reserve unit.
Gang toys. The Get Along Gang was it forward which is why US 12 Bar a difference, but collectively, with our • The Marine Toys for Tots
a group of animals who met in an and Grill will be hosting their 4th an- friends and some local business Program now distributes an average
abandoned caboose and told stories nual Toys for Tots charity toy drive owners, we are able to form a team of 18 million toys to 7 million less-
of friendship and teamwork. At the on Saturday, December 14, from that makes a difference together.” fortunate children annually.

The Wayne Dispatch · December 2019 · 3