The number of cars produced at GM Lordstown this year is down 71 percent from 2008. You'd think with numbers like that, Christmas would be a little lean. But that's not the case.
Not even the Grinch or the recession could stop Christmas from coming, and the employees at the General Motors paint shop in Lordstown proved that point Tuesday afternoon.
For the seventh year in a row, the 108 employees at the facility's paint shop joined forces with the Salvation Army and made wishes come true for 65 children.
"Dramatic reduction in the number of cars, but not a dramatic reduction in the number of kids that we sponsor and that is a great thing," said Scott Negley, who works at the paint shop. "It makes Christmas special for everyone at the paint shop."
The Lordstown plant is on track to produce 88,000 cars this year vs. the 308,000 it produced last year. Many of the employees there were laid off for several months this year. Some just returned to work in November.
"We had such a success for the past seven years that I just knew those same people who gave before would want to give again, and I was right," said employee Mary Ann Murberger.
One of her co-workers, Tom Kettering, said when it looked like it may be difficult to fulfill all of the children's wishes, the employees used good old-fashioned teamwork.
"There were a few that still needed a gift, so groups of guys went ahead and bought an extra gift," Kettering said.
The employees also helped load the toys on the Salvation Army truck, and officials said they will make sure all the gifts will soon be delivered.
