Ozark County Toy Drive moves to new location, welcomes donations

The Ozark County Toy Drive, an annual charity operation that has helped make Christmas brighter for hundreds of Ozark County children through the decades, is moving to a new location this year. 

Toy drive chairperson Nancy Walker said this year’s toy drive will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in the basement of the First Baptist Church on Second Street in Gainesville. The church is across Third Street from the old Ozark County Senior Citizens Center, where the event has been held for many years.

The toy drive allows Ozark County parents to select toys and other items to be given to their children at Christmastime. The only requirements are that participating parents and guardians must be able to show that they live in Ozark County, and they must be willing to stand in line, Walker said. In most years, the toy drive, which operates entirely on charity, provides toys and gifts for 400 or more children.

Donations of cash and new toys are needed and greatly appreciated, Walker said, adding that from Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 11, a volunteer will be available at the basement door of First Baptist Church to accept monetary or toy donations for the event. Checks, made payable to the Ozark County Toy Drive, may also be mailed c/o Walker, 378 Harlin Drive, Gainesville, MO 65655.

Walker said volunteers and parents who participate in the toy drive will be required to wear a mask, and the number of people allowed inside will be limited. The committee is working out other details of how the event will play out this year as covid-19 precautions are put into place.