The 26th annual Northwest Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Toy Drive will again be a drive-thru event.
Normally the chamber holds an in-person holiday event with the entrance fee being one unwrapped toy, but that event was canceled last year because of COVID-19. However, the chamber held a drive-
thru collection instead, and more than 3,500 toys and $4,000 in cash were donated.
This year’s drive-thru collection will be from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the former House Springs Lions Club, 6482 Hwy. MM, in House Springs.
“We are looking to collect toys again to support our local children in need, families in need,” event chairperson Sharon Reineri said.
Cookies and hot chocolate will be offered to people dropping off toys.
“We have Santa arriving,” Reineri added.
“We’re hoping that next year we can provide (an in-person) Christmas party,” she said. “For this year we’re going to stick with the drop-off.”
People also may donate to this year’s drive on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27-28, at the High Ridge Walmart and the Dollar General stores in House Springs, High Ridge and Cedar Hill, where firefighters from the Cedar Hill and High Ridge fire protection districts will collect toys.
All the toys collected every year are split between the two fire districts, which give them to area charities to distribute to local families in need.
Reineri said another way to donate toys is to drop them off at barrels located at several local businesses, including the following High Ridge locations: Anytime Fitness, 7 Dillon Plaza Drive; SSM Health Physical Therapy, 32 Dillon Plaza Drive; Jilly’s Cafe and Steakhouse, 1630 Gravois Road; High Ridge Fire Protection District, 2842 High Ridge Blvd; Pegg’s Restaurant, 1001 Crossroads Place; Iron Barley’s High Hog Ridge, 3367 High Ridge Blvd; Lindell Bank, 23 Dillon Plaza Drive; and Dollar General, 2713 High Ridge Blvd.
Locations in House Springs include Dollar General, 7 Walters Place; Northwest R-1 Early Childhood Center and the Northwest Jefferson County Senior Resource Center, both at 6180 Hwy. MM; Complete Fitness, 4567 Hunter Lane; and Enterprise Bank, 4675 Gravois Road.
Barrels also may be found in Cedar Hill at Dollar General, 7036 Hwy. BB; Enterprise Bank, 8475 Local Hillsboro Road; Big River Nursing and Rehab, 6400 The Cedars Court; and Cedar Hill Fire Protection District, 6766 Cedar Hill Road.
Monetary donations may be mailed to NWJC Chamber of Commerce at PO Box 371, High Ridge. 63049. If any business would like to get a collection barrel or people would like to volunteer, call Reineri at 636- 461-3560.