MARION (WSIL) -- The southern Illinois community did their part to help children unable to come for Christmas.
More than 900 toys have been collected over the past few months for patients at the Children's Hospital in St. Louis by the employees of Gander Outdoors in Marion.
This is the second year for the Toy Drive, which started in October. The goal had been to surpass last year's drive of 750 items.
Organizer Darlene Hutton say the community has really come through for the children, dropping off toys for every age.
"I think there's always a need, especially when it comes to children," she says. "We have so many people that have dropped toys off that have experienced children's hospital, who've had a grandchild, their daughter, their son, somebody connected, and they just really appreciate the community doing this for the children."
In their last day of collecting, Gander Outdoors hosted several food trucks to help attract donations. An ambulance from the hospital was also on site to drive the toys back to the children, so they can be opened on Christmas.
