Free toys for 100 North County families this Christmas in September

st. LOUIS, Missouri (KMOV) – Toy giveaways in Northern St. Louis County put smiles on children’s faces on Saturday.

of North County Police Cooperative partnered with STL Youth Sports Outreach “Christmas in September” event will be held.

Xaviera Stokes brought her three children to Vinita Park’s toy giveaway.

“As a single mother of three, there’s no doubt that when it comes to Christmas time and gifts and toys, more than not breaking the bank,” she said.

Her kids got lots of sporting goods, playing cards, stuffed animals, educational toys and other fun things to do.

“Sometimes it feels like we’re not doing enough for them, but there’s only so much we can do,” says Stokes. “Something like this definitely helps. It helps them feel better and it makes me feel better too.”

About 100 households received free toys on Saturday.

Scott Collett helps run STL Youth Outreach, which he says helps kids get sports equipment they couldn’t buy otherwise.

“I grew up in this community, so I know people who live in this community very well, and I know how difficult the struggle can be, especially these days,” says Colette. “It’s a shame when kids can’t play sports or don’t have something because of money.”

North County Police Cooperative Corporal Corey Hawkins Byrd says the goal of events like this is to give back to the community.

“It’s also a way of building relationships with young people and residents, so if there is an opportunity to bridge the gap between the police and the community, we support it,” said Corporal Hawkins-Byrd. .

Stokes says events like this show her that the community cares about the people who live there.

“Kids want to be open when they see this kind of thing and this kind of people,” says Stokes. “It makes it easier to communicate with them because it gives them a sense of security and similarity.”

The STL Youth Sports Outreach and North County Police Cooperative are planning many more community events over the next few months.

Find events for STL Youth Sports Outreach here.

You can find events for the North County Police Cooperative here.

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