More than 100 families will benefit from the toys donated during the annual Northwest Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Toy Drive, a long-standing tradition in its 30th year.
Sharon Reineri of Cedar Hill, the toy drive chair, said this year’s toy drive raised 3,000 to 4,000 toys for children in need.
“Even after 30 years, the need for toys continues to grow, especially in times like these,” Reineri said. “We want to benefit the community in as many ways as possible, and this tradition does that during the holiday season.”
The toy donations were gathered during November from 20 collection barrels placed at various businesses along Hwy. 30. Roy Caton volunteered to place the barrels and collected them once full.
In addition to the toys, the chamber received more than $4,500 in monetary donations. That money was used to purchase additional toys for children in need and taken to the chamber’s Toy Drive Celebration on Dec. 11 at the Pine Hollow Farms Annex in House Springs.
“Laborer’s Local International Union 110 was a major contributor to the donations. They were a huge help and brought a large amount of toys,” Reineri said.
About 90 people gathered for the celebration that included appetizers, live music by Barbara Paulick, a visit with Santa Claus played by Dave Marion and a surprise appearance from Louie, the St. Louis Blues mascot.
“It is nice seeing all the new faces take part and the original core participants who have been around since the beginning,” Reineri said. “It truly is a community event that gives back.”
Toy donations ranged from stuffed animals, remote-controlled cars, building blocks and more.
At the celebration, area first responders from the Cedar Hill and High Ridge fire protection districts divided the toys to later distribute to families in need throughout Jefferson County.
“The firemen who continue to support us, they work very hard – on the weekends of their collection, bringing all the toys together so we can display and show the community the support we get for this event and then delivering the toys to the families,” Reineri said. “It is all made possible because of them.”
She said it takes most of the afternoon to get the giant pile of toys ready to display for the celebration and only 15 minutes for the first responders to take them away to be gifted later.
“Those donations are then distributed to the children of families that need extra help this Christmas,” she said. “More than 100 families will benefit from the number of toys that were donated this year.”
Reineri also thanked the community for its generosity.
“Their (the community’s) support does not waver and is abundant,” she said. “We are so thankful to everyone who has given this holiday season; it keeps our community strong. I hope to see this event continue to grow and grow every year.”