Final collections gathered in Toys for Tots drive

Christmas is quickly approaching, and some local charity efforts are winding down.

This is the last week that bins will be in place around town for Today's Civic Women's annual Toys for Tots drive.

The group has organized the event for almost 30 years, and with great success. Last year, the drive provided presents to 226 area children.

The goal of the drive is to make sure that all children have a gift under the tree.

Donation bins will be collected by December 7, but will be in their respective locations through the end of the week.

Toys for Tots barrels can be found at the following locations: Walgreens, Watkins True Value Hardware, St. Gregory's School (second grade), Walmart, Nodaway Valley Bank (south branch), Beverly Health Care, Bank Midwest, Casey's (east location), US Bank, Maryville Public Library, Nodaway County Senior Center, Movie Magic, Maryville Daily Forum, Dollar General (both locations) and Citizens Bank & Trust.

Any size donation is accepted, and each child receives roughly $35 in toys and at least one book.

Jennifer Kennymore, a TCW member, said that with the cooperation of Community Services in Maryville, the toys will be distributed on Monday.

But just because the bins will be removed from businesses doesn't mean that donations have to end.

TCW accepts monetary donations year-round. The money is then used to purchase toys to be used for the next year.

"We can use those donations any time during the year," Kennymore said. "We usually purchase as many toys as we can on clearance right after Christmas, then save them for the next year."

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can send a check to Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 104, Maryville, Mo., 64468.

Also, West Nodaway High School and several Northwest Missouri State University student organizations are holding drives, with the toys to be delivered later -- but still in time for Christmas.

"We do like to have toys continue to come in," TCW member Ann Martin said. "Especially now when there are so many sales going on. Every little bit helps."

Kennymore says that preliminary numbers are up this year compared to last year, especially in the amount of money received.

To be more exact, Martin said that more than 100 area families have benefited, amounting to well over 200 children. And those numbers are before all bins have been collected and all drives are done.

"We really appreciate the community's support," Kennymore said. "We could not do this without the community being a big part of it."