Newsroom
Select region

2019 ‘Parade of Toys’ collects over 42,000 toys for kids

By Regence
December 20, 2019
toydrive2

This week, the Oregon community gathered for the annual Parade of Toys, a celebration that marks the end of KGW’s Great Toy Drive.

Alongside volunteers from IQ Credit Union, Toyota, Gresham High School and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, our employees loaded over 42,000 toys and 500 bikes – donations from across the community – into KGW’s “Toy Box,” a TV studio piled high with toys that will be given to children in the greater Portland area.

We were proud to celebrate our 17th year supporting the Great Toy Drive, joining hundreds of businesses that came together to make a difference in the lives of families who need it the most this holiday season.

Donations collected during the Toy Drive will be distributed, today, to more than 130 local nonprofits serving the Greater Portland area, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, CASA and Catholic Charities Refugee Services.  

toydrive1

From challenging each other to see who can collect the most toys to volunteering at many of the collection events around the Portland-area, our employees are passionate about the KGW Toy Drive and the impact it has on our community. This year, 172 Regence volunteers committed over 400 volunteer hours to the Great Toy Drive.

Here’s what some of our employees said when asked why they participate each year:

“I love the camaraderie it creates, and the spirit. It’s such a good way to kick off the holiday season.” – Janet

“It’s an easy way to give back and bring a lot of holiday cheer to kids across the Portland area.” – Ben

“I just picture them getting these nice toys and making their Christmas morning special.” – Aaron

Check out KGW’s recap of the Parade of Toys, including an interview with our own Mark Ganz as he speaks to why we continue to support the Toy Drive year after year:

Thanks to our community for coming together to make the KGW Great Toy Drive a success this year!

Previous post Next post
Share:
Tags: