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Other Formats: Abstract Full Text Printer Friendly ONE-MAN TOY DRIVE BRINGS GIFTS TO KIDS g Arizona Republic - Phoenix, Ariz. ccount Author: Connie Cone Sexton Date: Dec 23, 2003 the Archive Start Page: B.2 Section: Local Text Word Count: 499 Document Text He's not boisterous but not really shy. He won't twist your arm for a donation but his animated conversations won't let you get away easily. David Francesconi is simply good at what he does, and we're not talking about his profession as a shoe shiner. It's this time of the year that Francesconi expands his talents as one of Santa's helpers, running a oneman toy drive for Valley kids who may not have much for the holidays. Start counting and stop when you get to eight. That's how many years Francesconi, 40, has been putting the word out and gathering up toys to help the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix. He collects new, unwrapped toys and clothing. And today is the last official day of his drive. You can drop off a gift at: Epicurean Wine Service: 7101 E. Thunderbird Road in Scottsdale; Ristorante Giuseppe: 13610 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; Hava Java: 3166 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix; Cas Chiropractic Center: 4619 N. 24th St., Phoenix; and Autumn Court: 4302 N. Central

Ave., Phoenix. Or you can reach Francesconi at (602) 469-0496. You can call the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix at (602) 954-8182. Ask for communication coordinator Carlos Samana. He'll tell you that while several organizations around the Valley are very helpful bringing in money or toys during the holidays, Francesconi is about the only individual who does the same thing. The first year of his toy drive, Francesconi got about 50 toys; last year's drive netted at least 700. He looks to surpass that this year. Francesconi of Phoenix started The Polished One, a mobile shoe polishing company, almost 10 years ago, after getting tired of working in marketing and advertising. An orphan when he was 3, Francesconi was later adopted. Today, both of his adoptive parents have died and he isn't interested in finding his birth parents. He is interested in finding more toys for more kids. Francesconi, who is single, doesn't have children of his own. He has seen the faces of children who he has helped. "It is so awesome. They grab your leg, they grab your arm. They just need so much love. ... This is just a way to give back to the community," Francesconi said. "When I was growing up, I said if I came across a lot of money I would give back to the community, or if I owned my own business and made a name for myself. Well, I'm not a rich man, so The Polished One has helped get my name out there to help others." \ If you know a person who has done something interesting or has been honored in some way, we want to know about it. Send a note to The Arizona Republic, Local People Section, 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004. Or send e-mail to localpeople@arizonarepublic.com. CAPTION: David Francesconi runs a one-man toy drive during the holidays to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Phoenix. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission. Abstract (Document Summary) David Francesconi runs a one-man toy drive during the holidays to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of

Metro Phoenix. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission. Other Formats: Abstract Full Text Printer Friendly

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