The Wright City community once again showed the true meaning of the season through the success of the Wright City Toy Drive, now in its sixth year. Led by Joe Purl and the Wright City Community Food Pantry, Kamie Williams with Parents as Teachers and Kelly Hill at Shelter Insurance, the annual drive brought together residents and local businesses to ensure children in the community experienced the joy of Christmas. 

Thanks to the generosity and collaboration of the Wright City residents and businesses, the toy drive provided Christmas gifts to 168 local children this year. In addition, toys were donated to organizations including, Turning Point, Pathfinders and Catholic Charities, extending the impact well beyond Wright City.

Local businesses played a vital role in this year’s success by hosting toy collection barrels and encouraging customers to give. Many businesses went above and beyond, helping to fill their barrels and demonstrating the powerful role small businesses play in supporting local families.  Their involvement highlights why it is so important to shop and support locally – because when our community supports small businesses, those businesses in turn support the community.

This year’s toy drive is a reminder of what can be accomplished when neighbors, organizations, and businesses work together for a shared purpose. The organizers would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the residents and businesses who donated toys, time, and resources to make this season brighter for so many families.