KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Mission of Hope is wrapping up its annual Blue Barrel and Cyber Barrel holiday collection event on Tuesday.
Tuesday is the last day to donate. The organization is collecting toys, coats and other items as a part of its mission to spread holiday cheer and hope to families in rural Appalachia.
From Friday, Nov. 17 through Tuesday, Dec. 5, shoppers can visit the online registries and select items for purchase. The items will be shipped to the Mission of Hope warehouse, where they will be packed and delivered to the students.
According to the nonprofit, items that are most needed are clothing and toys. Here is what they said they specifically need:
- Clothing - Coats, new with tags, for Children and Adults - Children's Size 6 though Adult Size 2XL.
- Toys/Gifts - New, unopened and unwrapped toys/gifts for students in grades PreK - 8th grade. (Suggested $15 Value on Each toy/gift)
Appalachia, a region known for its proud people with a rich history of self-reliance and independence, has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including poverty, broken families, job loss and depleting coal mining economies.
The Christmas drive is a good way for people to contribute to the cause.
You can find posters at various locations in the area, featuring QR codes that link to the Cyber Barrel website.
In addition to the barrel drive, Mission of Hope will place blue barrels at select Food City, Home Federal Banks, Fisher Tire and Barnes and Noble locations. There, you can donate new toys, new coats and non-perishable food items.
"We go to some very impoverished areas like I said there's not a lot of resources for people up there, so we are helping children in 29 schools who otherwise might not have Christmas," Linda Oglesby, a Mission of Hope volunteer, said.
They are in need of more coats and toys for 13,000 families.