The Northwest Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce collected more than 2,000 toys and $7,000 for its toy drive this year, organizer Sharon Reineri said.
The money was used to buy more toys at the High Ridge Walmart, and all the toys will be distributed to local children in need this Christmas season, she said.
Reineri said the toys completely filled tow trailers.
“It was wonderful, a mountain of toys,” Reineri said. “The number of toys donated was comparable to last year’s drive.”
She said it was the 28th year for the toy drive.
Reineri said toy collection barrels were distributed around Cedar Hill, High Ridge and House Springs on Nov. 1 and were gathered up on Dec. 7.
In addition, Cedar Hill and High Ridge firefighters collected toys at the High Ridge Walmart and local Dollar General stores on Nov. 25 and 26.
Reineri said volunteers, whom she called her elves, went to Walmart to buy the extra toys with the cash donated to the drive.
“We bought games, bikes, art kits, dolls, footballs, and basketballs, for all age groups,” she said.
Reineri’s “elves” included Carrie Ann Branson, Rita Miller, Vicky James and Deb Shores.
All of the toys were delivered to the Pine Hollow Farms Annex in House Springs for the Chamber’s Business After Hours celebration on Dec. 7.
Reineri said 60 people attended the event, where the toys were stacked on the stage and overflowed onto the floor.
Hors d’oeuvres, cookies and drinks were available during the event. Santa Claus made an appearance, and local singer Aliana Good provided entertainment.
Reineri said the highlight of the evening was the tic-tac-toe relay competition between the High Ridge and Cedar Hill firefighters.
For 15 years, the two fire districts have competed in various games at the event, including bowling, bicycle races and free throw contests.
She said High Ridge Fire won this year’s relay competition.
“It was a high-stakes game,” she said. “They’ll have the bragging rights until next year.”
At the end of the event, the toys were divided evenly between the two fire districts, and High Ridge Fire will donate its toys to Ladies of Charity in High Ridge for distribution to local families. The Cedar Hill Fire Auxiliary has adopted families for the holidays, and that organization will distribute its share of the toys to those families.
“The chamber started this toy drive 28 years ago,” Reineri said. “They felt the need then and the need has just grown and grown. The community has opened their hearts and donated. It’s very heartwarming to see.”