Community and toy drives helping to relieve stress this holiday season
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)- Christmas is 25 days away, for some in the community getting gifts under the tree may be a struggle.
“The holidays are a joyful time for a lot of people, but it’s a very hard stressful time for people who are struggling to make ends meet.” Says, Elizabeth Shelton is the executive director for United Way in Southeast Missouri, she talks about the hardships people are facing this holiday season with the cost of living.
She adds, “It’s especially hard on parents, you know they want to be able to do something for their children, and if they can’t afford it, it adds to the holiday stress it does not add to joy.”
One way Shelton says the community is looking to help with that stress is by doing toy drives.
Cape Girardeau Police Department, Officer Bobby Newton speaks about how the department is helping by participating in Toys for Tots, a program ran by the Marine Corps Reserve.
Newton says, “It’s great being able to give back to the community and this is a great organization that does this, and it’s the time of giving, and we just enjoy being able to help the community out.”
Assistant Chief with the Jackson Police Department, Alex Broch says they are also doing their annual community Christmas drive.
A toy drive that also benefits not only children but senior citizens.
Broch says, “We do random acts of kindness, by just giving out gift cards to people throughout the holiday season.”
Broch says that each child who is signed up from the Jackson R-II school district is given a couple toys and a few board and card games each, “We believe that by taking just a little bit away from the families having to worry about, if they don’t have to worry about a couple toys or a few toys from their children, they can focus more on other things they need to take care of that’s something we can help with just by giving them some toys to give to their children through the holiday season.”
Elizabeth Shelton with United Way adds that parents can use the helpful rhyme for their children’s Christmas list this year – something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
To make donations visit the link below-
To find out if your child qualifies for the Jackson Christmas Drive call The Jackson Police Department at (573) 243-3151
Children must be in the Jackson R-II school district and between the ages of 0 and 12.
