MidCity Excellence hosts 16th annual toy drive

By Kendra Simpson

MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center hosted its 16th annual “Tis Better to Give than to Receive” toy drive Thursday evening.

The community showed up to help make spirits bright for the 48 students at MidCity Excellence with monetary and toy donations.

MidCity Excellence helps keep kids off the street, out of jail and in school by providing opportunities in the performing arts, volunteering, mentoring and homework help, and what better way to reward the kids’ hard work than with a few presents?

“That one present can really change your life,” MidCity Excellence Founder Kimberly Warren said. “That makes them feel that someone really took the time to care about them. They feel valuable and that they have a place to belong. They’re always looking for a place to belong and for someone to validate them and let them know that no matter what trauma or drama you’re going through at school or in your family or with your friends that you can get on the other side of it.”

By the end of the event, St. Joseph residents donated enough toys to provide all 48 kids a present this holiday season.  

The toy drive featured catering from Big Daddy & Son’s BBQ and a Christmas tree up for raffle with several gift cards to local businesses.

While this year’s toy drive may be over, MidCity Excellence is always looking for support from the community. To learn about opportunities to support MidCity Excellence, visit the nonprofit’s website at https://visitmce.org/.