Drives kick off Thursday to raise money, collect toys for Toys for Tots

Organizations will be hosting several events starting Thursday to collect money and toys for Toys for Tots.

Members of the Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1081 will be at Schnucks in Cape Girardeau for a 24 hour drive starting at 4 p.m.

"We have a couple of guys who are pretty motivated to stay out there all night," said Charles DiStefano, local Toys for Tots coordinator and member of the league.

The event builds on other kick-off drives at Toys R Us and collection locations throughout the group's seven county area. DiStefano said 90 locations are set up in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, New Madrid, Perry, Scott and Stoddard counties. The Toys for Tots program helps those in Cape Girardeau County outside of the Cape Girardeau city limits. The local Toybox program serves children inside the city.

"There's plenty of places in any of the counties where people can drop off toys," he said. Children from those counties will receive toys collected from the holiday drive.

Other businesses will be participating in events Thursday and throughout the holiday season.

Rude Dog Pub will host its seventh annual Toys for Tots Party on Thursday. Admission to hear the Mike Renick Band and the Intention is $10 or one unwrapped toy. Food is available from 6 to 8 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. DiStefano said Rude Dog's donations will be dropped off at Schnucks Friday toward the end of the 24 hour drive.

Discount cards will be distributed at West Park Mall Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. for shoppers who donate $5 or a toy.

Sunday, the Alpha Chi Omega sorority is hosting a Christmas king and queen pageant at Franklin Elementary School Sunday. Admission is $5 and a $10 unwrapped toy. There will be three age divisions from boys and 11 age divisions for girls.

The Marine Corps Auxiliary will host the final toy drive at the Cape Girardeau K-Mart Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

abusch@semissourian.com

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