The Overland Park Convention Center will once again serve as one of the largest donation sites for the area Marine Corps League, Toys for Tots drive.
To donate, guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation and drop it off at the convention center. Collection boxes are located by entrances throughout the venue through Dec. 16.
Last year, the local Toys for Tots served over 54,000 less fortunate children in the greater Kansas City area. The need for toys is even greater this year with an estimated 75,000 children in need during the holiday season.
“It’s been an extremely tough year for everyone, but we know it will be even harder for the families who rely on Toys for Tots to bring joy to their holiday season,” Brett C. Mitchell, general manager of the Overland Park Convention Center, said. “As the holidays approach, we look forward to playing an active role in supporting the children not only our local community, but the entire metropolitan region. We hope to see any community members who are able to participate, join us in collecting toys this year.”
Toys for Tots assists children up to age 16. Items to consider for pre-teens and teens include, but are not limited to, sporting equipment, bags, balls; books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch/wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio control cars and trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards/helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners, and hair dryers.
The Overland Park Convention Center will be open for public donations Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding Nov. 26-27. Due to COVID-19, guests are asked to drop items off at the security entrance located on the east side of the convention center off Woodson Rd—directional signage provided.
To learn more about the Overland Park Convention Center, please visit opconventioncenter.com/toys-for-tots or call 913.339.3000. For more about the local Toys for Tots, visit kansas-city-mo.toysfortots.org/.
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