Mission of Hope Needs Toys

Mission of Hope, a Christian charity in Knoxville that serves the poorest counties in Appalachia, many of them in Eastern Kentucky, needs your help to “Spread the Hope.”

This marks the 17th year of MOH’s annual Christmas Drive, a campaign that brings NEW toys, food, clothing and hygiene products to more than 17,500 children at 27 rural, elementary schools.

At least 85% of the students at these schools receive free or reduced lunch and are trapped in grinding poverty that has spanned generations.

At Christmas, MOH Volunteers from more than 40 churches, including NorthEast Christian Church in Lexington and Versailles Baptist Church, set up a “toy store” in each of the schools.

As students and faculty gather round the “store,” the Volunteers pull back the wrapping, and the faces of grateful children light up brighter than a Christmas Tree.

The drive to collect NEW toys, food, clothing and hygiene products runs Friday, Nov. 16-Monday, Dec. 3, and you can help by contributing to the MOH Big Blue Barrels.

The Barrels can be found at the following locations in the greater Lexington area: All three YMCA’s in Lexington, Monkey Joe’s, Lexington Dance Factory, Legacy Gymnastics, Premier

Athletics, Kids Place, Chick-fil-A, Cici’s Pizza, Curves, Valvoline, Appalachia Regional Healthcare and Lexington Family Magazine.

If you want to make a financial donation, contact MOH or mail donations to MOH, 2901 Richmond Road, Suite 130 #205, Lexington 40509. Info: (877) 627-1909, www.missionofhope.org.