For nearly a decade, Morning Pointe Senior Living has partnered with the Samaritan Center in Ooltewah to bring the magic of Christmas to local children and families in need. Through Dec. 10, Morning Pointe assisted living communities throughout the Chattanooga area will be collecting toys to donate to the non-profit organization, helping stock the Samaritan Center’s Christmas Toyland for the holiday season. The toy drive is now in its ninth year and has collected nearly $10,000 in donations since 2010.
This year, Morning Pointe asks interested individuals to donate items targeted at young adults, as the Samaritan Center is experiencing a shortage of gifts for the this demographic. Donations likely to appeal to tweens and teens include basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, Bibles, comforter sets, nice wallets, fuzzy socks, gift cards, Legos, nail polish, portable Bluetooth speakers, puzzle and Sudoku books, board games, coats, bikes and helmets. Items can be dropped off at the barrel in the lobbies of local Morning Pointe communities throughout the Tennessee Valley.
“For the past nine years, it has been our privilege to partner with the Samaritan Center to spread the Christmas spirit to families throughout Hamilton County,” said Morning Pointe President and Co-Founder Greg A. Vital. “By asking for donations specifically geared toward teens and tweens, we hope to help the Samaritan Center continue its mission to serve all qualifying families and their children, ensuring that they have a special holiday.”