Clearly, the 2020 holiday season ushers in financial challenges for many families who desperately want to provide presents to their children. Following are entities and ways to put smiles on more children's faces by donating toys or funding to make positive differences. [Due to fluctuating pandemic conditions, double-check with the organizing groups for updates regarding collection points.]
Mission St. Louis conducts an annual program entitled Affordable Christmas. The initiative allows under-resourced families to shop for children's gifts at drastically reduced prices. This year's shopping will be held via their virtual store during Dec. 10-12. They are hoping to serve 1,000 children from 300 local families.
Organizers encourage employer and church groups to host toy drives. For questions, contact rachel@missionstl.org.
Mission STL Toy Drop Off Locations:
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Destiny Church of St. Louis, 1809 Des Peres Road, St. Louis, 63131
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Moneta Group Investment Advisors, 100 S. Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis, 63105
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Gardaworld, 1699 S. Hanley Road, Ste. 350, St. Louis, 63144
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Stanford Dental, 663 Big Bend Blvd., Manchester, 63021
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Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, 801 S. Spoede Road, Frontenac, 63131
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1904Labs, 20 S. Sarah St., St. Louis, 63108
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Purina, 1205 S. 6th St., St. Louis, 63104
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Cortex Innovation Community, 20 S. Sarah St., St. Louis, 63108
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Mitch STL Salon, 4301 Arco Ave., St. Louis, 63110
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Big River Running Company, (three locations) 5352 Devonshire Ave., St. Louis, 63109; 606 North and South Road, University City, 63130; 13969 Manchester Road, Manchester, 63011
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The Journey Tower Grove, 2833 S Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 63139
The annual Marine Toys For Tots program has delivered hope to children since 1947.
For St. Louis County, Marines of 3d Battalion 23d Marines Regiment will host this year's toy drive. Toys for Tots Coordinator Sgt. Andrew Burdsal expresses gratitude for all of the people in the community that make this program so successful. "You are all truly the beacon of hope for families in need, and with your help, the children of this region are able to experience the joy of Christmas," he says.
During 2019, this Toys For Tots program distributed 81,105 toys to support 41,726 children. They break age groups for donations accordingly: 1-2; 3-5; 6-7; 8-10; 11-12. Final pickups are slated for Dec. 12.
To receive toys, individual families are required to go through non-profit organizations, such as social service agencies, department of family services, churches, The Salvation Army, local food pantries, community service centers, United Way and other local philanthropic organizations.
For questions, email bridgeton.mo@toysfortots.org, or call 650.201.0261 or 650.537.2313.
Help make the holidays special for a child in need through Washington University's Project ARK’s Toy Drive — serving 800 to 1,000 children each year who are infected or affected by HIV. The Toy Drive supports clients served by 13 AIDS Service Organizations in both St. Louis and Southern Illinois. For a list of their donation needs, visit ProjectArk.wustl.edu/Support-Us/Annual-Toy-Drive.
Santa's Helpers, Inc., 1401 Pierce Ave., is a 100% volunteer-based non-profit organization serving St. Louis’s under-resourced and seriously ill children and their families since 1968. Santa’s Helpers touches the lives of 2,200-plus children and their families every holiday season by purchasing, wrapping and delivering gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah to deserving children whose names are provided by local schools and social service agencies. Phone 314.647.1800 or go online at SantasHelpersSTL.com regarding making donations.