The season of giving has begun with the 27th annual Northwest Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Toy Drive, now underway.
For the toy drive, which began Nov. 1 and will continue until Thursday, Dec. 8, chamber members are asking people to donate toys and cash to help local children in need.
In 2021, community members donated an estimated 5,000 toys and more than $8,000 in cash during the drive, and event chairperson Sharon Reineri hopes to see at least the same amount of giving in 2022, especially since some of the restrictions put in place over the past two years because of COVID-19 have been lifted.
In the past, the toy drive included an After Hours Party in which everyone was asked to bring at least one new, unwrapped toy to gain admission. That party has not been held since the start of the pandemic, but it will return on Dec. 8, to be held from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Pine Hollow Farms Annex, the former House Springs Lions Club building at 6482 Hwy. MM.
Admission is again one new unwrapped toy. Food and beverages will be served, and music will be played. Santa Claus, and possibly the Grinch, are expected to make appearances.
“We have a very generous and supportive community that each year helps to make our toy drive a success,” Reineri said.
Firefighters from High Ridge and Cedar Hill also will staff drop-off sites at the Walmart and Dollar General stores in those communities over the Thanksgiving weekend, on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27.
The collections held those two days are where most of the stuffed animals, bicycles, games, dolls, action figures and other toys are collected, Reineri said.
Cash donations will be used to purchase toys. Those, and all the toys collected, will be turned over to the High Ridge and Cedar Hill fire protection districts to be distributed to local charities and families in need.
“It’s always gratifying to help our young children in need of a wonderful Christmas, and the toy drive has always held a special place in my heart,” said Reineri, who has been chairing the toy drive for about 15 years.
People also may drop off toys at collection barrels placed around the community.
In High Ridge, the barrels are at SSM Health Physical Therapy, 32 Dillon Plaza Drive; the High Ridge Fire Protection District, 2842 High Ridge Blvd.; Lindell Bank, 23 Dillon Plaza Drive; Jefferson County Public Library, 5680 Hwy. PP; Dollar General, 2713 High Ridge Blvd.; and Pegg’s Restaurant, 1001 Crossroads Place.
In House Springs, barrels are at Dollar General, 7 Walters Place; Northwest R-I Early Childhood Center, 6180 Hwy. MM; Complete Fitness, 4567 Hunter Lane; and Enterprise Bank, 4675 Gravois Road.
In Cedar Hill, barrels are at Dollar General, 7036 Hwy. BB; Big River Nursing and Rehab, 6400 The Cedars Court; Enterprise Bank, 8475 Local Hillsboro Road; and Cedar Hill Fire Protection District, 6766 Cedar Hill Road. A collection barrel is also at the Dollar General in Dittmer, 7900 Dittmer Catawissa Road.