Southern Missouri – Birthday Blessings just announced the dates for their 2nd Annual July Toy Drive to help meet the needs and bring joy to the Missouri foster community.
Locally, Birthday Blessings services about 200 kids in state custody through the 37th Circuit Children’s Division in Howell, Oregon, and Shannon counties. The toy drive is being lead by Jake Rigdon, a member of the nonprofit board of directors and staff member at the 18th Circuit Children’s Division in Sedalia.
“So many things have to happen at once when a child enters care that birthdays or other special events are often not thought of,” Rigdon said in a recent press release. “Some kids enter care and they have never had a birthday party or a gift before. When they come into the office and see the birthday bags, they get very excited!”
Currently, they need gifts fit for teens. Suggested items include advanced Lego sets, sports balls, fishing equipment, KC Chiefs or Cardinals merchandise, earbuds, gaming headsets, lotion or bath sets, make-up or nail polish sets, craft kits, board games, and snacks that do not expire before 2025. They are also asking for gifts good for toddlers which can include developmental toys, toys that light up or make noise, vehicles, dolls, and toys to push across the floor or help a child learn to walk. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Bluey, and Cocomelon are popular with this age group.
The drive will start on July 1st and run through till the end of the month on the 31st. Collection boxes are located at Birthday Blessings, Ozark Hills Insurance, 37th North Realty Group, and Century 21 Ozark Hills Realty, Monetary donations can be made at www.birthday-blessings.org/donate. An Amazon wish list is posted on the website and their Facebook page. Items must be new and unopened, with no writing or organization advertisements on the box. For more information call 417-372-5306 or email office@birthdayblessings.onmicrosoft.com.
