Express Employment hosts seventh annual toy drive
TEXARKANA — In coordination with Child Protective Services, Domestic Violence Prevention and Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center, Express Employment Professionals is hosting their seventh annual Spreading Joy, Gifting Hope Toy Drive for area children in need of some Christmas magic.
“We want to ensure that these children have the best Christmas morning imaginable,” Express Marketing Coordinator Jacob Carnes said.
Those wishing to donate to the toy drive can drop off new, unwrapped toys or monetary donations at the Express office during regular office hours until Dec. 9, and Express will match each donation.
“Our aim is to raise more than 2,000 toys this year and to outdo ourselves from last year,” Carnes said.
“There are almost 600 kids in the foster care services between Miller, Bowie, Cass, Hempstead and Little River counties.”
In previous years, items such as bikes, scooters, dolls, articles of clothing and games have been donated to the toy drive.
“Don’t forget items for teens such as Bluetooth speakers, ring lights, room decorations, beauty gift sets and sports equipment,” Carnes said.
Express’ toy drive began with an idea by professional recruiter, Heather Buster, in 2015.
With only four weeks until Christmas, Buster and owner Joey Martin successfully carried out the generous holiday event.
“Not only did we decide to donate to children in foster care, but we also donated a toy in honor of each client who had used Express Employment Professional services throughout the year,” Carnes said.
Over the years, the toy drive’s reach has increased with partnerships with local organizations such as For the Sake of One, Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health, Domestic Violence Prevention, and area families.
(Express Employment Professionals is at 3206 Jefferson Ave., Texarkana, Arkansas. For more information, call 430-200-5144.)