The Legacy Health toy drive has begun and The Port Arthur News is one of many drop off locations
Posted 12:34 am Sunday, October 23, 2022
More than 350 children stopped by the window and received toys for more than two hours last year during the Legacy Community Health Holiday Party.
And this year the organizers expect even more.
Josh Davis of Legacy Community Health said the goal is to collect 500 toys. Toys must be new in the $10-$15 price range and unwrapped.
Port Arthur News, 2349 Memorial Blvd., is one of 19 businesses in the entire area with a toy drop box.
“There is a great need in the community,” Davis said. “The best thing about Southeast Texas is that our community is so strong and united to help each other.”
Collected toys will be distributed to local children at the Legacy Community Health Pediatric Party from 5-8 pm on December 12 at the Beaumont Children’s Museum.
At the event, kids can get a toy, a photo with Santa, cookies, craft activities, and explore the museum.
Davis said they try to go beyond just providing a toy. Several of the patients who come to the clinic are neglected and by providing the toys they are trying to take the burden off the parents.
“For some of these children, this is their Christmas experience,” he said, adding that some families experience food insecurity and this is a way for children to receive a gift and for Legacy to work with families to connect them with valuable community services. . .
“A lot of times parents take care of the kids first and neglect their own health,” he said.
Parents are screened to see if there are other organizations that can help them.
Cash donations are also accepted. Every $10 donated buys a toy for a child.
For more information visit legacy.community/bmtholiday or contact Josh Davis at jdavislegacycommunityhealth.org
Legacy is a federally qualified full-service health center that identifies unmet needs and gaps in health-related services and develops client-centered programs to address those needs, according to information from the organization.
