A Fire Destroyed Thousands Of Kids’ Toys. Here’s How You Can Help.

Shriners christmas toy drive

A Fire Destroyed Thousands Of Kids’ Toys. Here’s How You Can Help.

On Nov. 15, a massive fire destroyed a warehouse in the Botanical Heights neighborhood of St. Louis. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the fire destroyed hundreds of toys intended for the Shriners’ Hospital Christmas party.

The Shriners intended to give the toys to about 1,500 of the hospital’s younger patients. Blue Stingray and Relay Content Creation are participating in a toy drive to replace the missing items and give the kids a better holiday season.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll set up times to take toys over to the Shriners’ donation center. We’re asking local businesses to get involved. If you need help organizing a toy delivery, contact brian@bluestray.com, and we’ll come by and pick up your items.

Here’s donation information from the Shriners:

Please keep in mind that 50 percent of our patients are teenagers ages 11–18.

We can accept:

  • Board games such as Apples to Apples, Rummikub, Catch Phrase, Dominoes, Double 12 Sets
  • Playing cards such as UNO, Skip-Bo, Phase 10
  • Hair and nail care sets, nail polish
  • Jewelry – necklaces, bracelets
  • Makeup sets, makeup bags
  • Bath and body sets
  • Gift sets of Axe, Adidas or Old Spice for men with shower gel/shampoo
  • Professional sports apparel with team logos – caps, t-shirts, sweatshirts (adult sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL)
  • Gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target, or popular fast food restaurants
  • Holiday items prior to the holiday
  • AAA and AA alkaline batteries
  • Musical toys
  • Light up toys
  • Preschool toys
  • Dolls and Barbies
  • Popular character toys
  • Stuffed animals – brand new, 12” or smaller
  • Matchbox car sets
  • LEGOS kits and Bionicles
  • Coloring and activity books
  • Crayons
  • Art/activity kits
  • Backpacks/sports bags
  • Fleece tie blankets and small lap quilts in small quantities of one bag or less. (Patients LOVE fleece tie blankets – they are their #1 preference!)

We are unable to accept:

  • Used toys
  • Used stuffed animals
  • Beanie Babies
  • Large stuffed animals of any kind
  • Dollar store toys
  • Large blankets/quilts/afghans
  • Pillows (handmade)
  • Pillow cases
  • VCR tapes
  • Books/comic books
  • Sports collector/trading cards of any type
  • Collectible postage stamps
  • Greeting cards (new or used)
  • Campbells soup labels
  • Large ride-on items
  • Holiday items after holiday has passed
  • School notebooks, paper, scissors, erasers
  • Used medical equipment
  • Clothing (new or used)

We’re glad to see that our community’s already stepping up. Please spread the word, and contact us directly if you have any questions.

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