Holiday Toy Drive at High Road Wright City

A Season of Giving at High Road Wright City

 This year, at the High Road School of Wright City, Missouri, our Spring Two classroom teacher, Kaylin Hoag, set out to assist our school community in understanding the true meaning of the Holiday season. Ms. Kaylin’s leadership of this year’s toy drive began with a single act of generosity that quickly gained momentum. 

How the Toy Drive Began

The initiative started when she donated a Christmas tree, an act that helped spark interest and set the foundation for what would become a school-wide effort. As word spread, staff and students were encouraged to participate in our season of giving, which resulted in an outpouring of support and donations for our school’s first annual toy drive. 

Bringing the School Community Together

Under Ms. Kaylin’s guidance and leadership, the toy drive grew into a coordinated community initiative, bringing together students and staff with the shared goal of giving back and spreading holiday cheer to children and others in need. This came on the heels of our school’s first annual food fundraiser. 

What inspired you to start the Christmas toy drive this year? 

During Christmastime this year, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and challenge both my own family and our students to give back in a more meaningful way. I hoped to encourage everyone involved to pause and truly appreciate what we have, no matter how big or how small it may seem. The goal was not just to collect donations, but to foster empathy, gratitude, and an understanding that even the smallest act of kindness can make a significant difference in someone else’s life, especially during the holiday season. 

Who is the toy drive intended to support (age ranges, families, or specific needs)? 

I wanted our toy drive to support those in need, specifically children who may not experience a great deal of Christmas or holiday spirit due to circumstances beyond their control. The goal of this drive is to help ensure that every child feels remembered, valued, and celebrated during the holiday season. By coming together as a community, 

we have the opportunity to bring joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to children who might otherwise go without, reminding them that they are not alone and that there are people who genuinely care about their happiness. 

What challenges did you face while organizing or running the toy drive? 

The most challenging part of the process was meeting the toy collection deadline. We experienced an overwhelming outpouring of generosity and support, which was both humbling and inspiring. At the same time, it was important to ensure that all donations were collected and organized promptly, as partner organizations rely on receiving these toys on schedule in order to distribute them to families in time for the holidays. 

What parts of the toy drive ended up being the most successful? 

The collection of toys was driven by the incredible generosity of our staff and the sincere desire of our students to get involved, showing compassion and kindness toward others in a meaningful way. 

What impact did you see the toy drive have on students, families, or staff? 

The students began to realize that Christmas isn’t about receiving, but about forgiving, showing kindness, and extending compassion to others, even when it may feel difficult.