Submitted

Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group, Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic, and North Central Missouri College Athletic Department are again partnering to host a toy drive to benefit children in Grundy and Mercer counties. The 4th annual toy drive will begin on Monday, Nov. 17, and ends on Friday, Dec. 12.

“We’re excited to team up once more with the NCMC Athletic Department this season,” said Shane Lynch, practice manager at Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group and Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic. “The overwhelming generosity from our community in recent years has been nothing short of motivating, and we’re eager to keep that energy going strong. After gathering more than 400 items last year, we’re excited to challenge ourselves and aim even higher this time around.”

The event will benefit children ages 1-17 years old. Toys will be donated to the Department of Social Services Children’s Division and Trenton Kiwanis Club for distribution. For health and safety concerns, only new toys will be accepted. Specific wish list items include Legos, Hot Wheels, makeup, baby dolls, spiderman toys, monster trucks, coloring books, reading books, and bicycles, and other items.

Toys will be collected at three locations: NCMC’s Ketcham Community Center in Trenton, Wright Memorial Physicians’ Group in Trenton, and Saint Luke’s Mercer County Clinic in Princeton.

Additionally, attendees to the NCMC Pirates and Lady Pirates basketball games on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Ketcham Community Center will receive one free admission for every toy (minimum $5 in value) donated at the entry to the game. The Lady Pirates game begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Pirate men’s game at 7 p.m.

“It’s an honor to be involved in such a meaningful event,” said Nate Gamet, Athletic Director at North Central Missouri College. “We’re looking forward to an exciting evening at the Ketcham Center on Dec. 3, and I’m hopeful the community will come out to support the Pirates and Lady