CLEVELAND, OH - November 16, 2009 - Let the Season of Giving begin! Cleveland Cavaliers and Lake Erie Monsters fans can help underserved children throughout the northeast Ohio community enjoy the magic of the holiday season by donating new, unwrapped toys to the 2009 Cavaliers and Monsters Holiday Toy Drive presented by Charter One between November 28th and December 15th.

At every Cavaliers and Monsters home game starting at the Saturday, November 28th doubleheader, fans can drop off toys at collection bins located at every entrance of Quicken Loans Arena. In addition, the public is invited to drop off toys at Northeast Ohio Charter One branches and at Quicken Loans Arena at the Time Warner Cable Entrance during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

“Charter One is proud to partner with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lake Erie Monsters to make the holidays brighter for hundreds of children in need in our community,” said Ken Marblestone, president of Charter One.“While many parents face challenges in today’s economy, we hope the Toy Drive will help families experience the magic of the holiday season.”

At the conclusion of the Toy Drive, Charter One employees will join with the Cavaliers and Monsters game entertainment teams to host holiday parties where donated toys will be presented to designated agencies. All toys will be distributed to the children through agencies such as the Salvation Army, ACCESS, Project ACT, JR Coleman Center, Merrick House, Boys and Girls Club of Lorain, West Side Ecumenical Ministry and the Phillis Wheatley Association.

“The heart of the Northeast Ohio community is ‘XL’ and that is what makes our annual Toy Drive bigger, better and more successful each year,” said Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert. “The Cavaliers and Monsters, along with our partner Charter One, are proud to coordinate this collection and distribution on behalf of our fans. We thank everyone in advance for their generosity to make the holidays special for these children and their families.”