KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A nonprofit that works throughout the year to support families and children across rural Appalachia is set to begin its annual holiday donation campaigns, aiming to collect toys and coats for underserved families across the region.
The Mission of Hope places blue barrels in different stores every year during the holidays, inviting people to buy items within those stores or bring items to put into the barrels as donations. The Blue Barrel drive collects variety of toys, clothing, food and hygiene products.
This year, the barrels will be placed in locations across Powell, Knoxville, Sevierville, Oak Ridge, Seymour and more. People will be able to find them inside Barnes and Noble, Home Federal Bank, and Food City locations among others.
The nonprofit is also set to launch its annual Cyber Barrel donation drive on Nov. 22. The campaign gives people the chance to donate online, buying items for the nonprofit from specific wishlists — one on Amazon and another on Walmart. The wishlists include hundreds of items, mostly toys.
Another online wishlist asks people to donate coats, helping children and families stay warm during the winter months.
The Mission of Hope said on its website that the donation drives help them serve 10,000 children and families during the holiday season across 29 Appalachian elementary schools. Anyone who wants to help can also donate money online.
