Island City, OR – Shoppers across Union County and the Pacific Northwest are being asked to help brighten the holidays for hospitalized children as first responders and Walmart teams host the annual #JasmineStrong Holiday Toy Drive today. Donation hours run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with collection stations set up at both entrances of the Island City Walmart.
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, deputies are teaming up with Walmart Transportation and first responders across the region to collect toys benefiting children at local pediatric centers, children’s hospitals, and Ronald McDonald Houses. The event began seven years ago through the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and has since expanded across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
Officials say the goal is to gather enough toys to support children and families who will spend the holiday season in medical facilities. The widespread regional participation—from Umatilla County to Union County and beyond—helps ensure that hospitals throughout Oregon have enough gifts to distribute in the coming weeks.
First responders will be stationed outside the Island City Walmart throughout the day, greeting shoppers and offering easy, contact-free donation options. New, unwrapped toys of all types are welcome, and organizers emphasize that even small donations can make a major impact for children spending the holidays away from home.
The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents in Union County, Island City, La Grande, and the broader eastern Oregon region to stop by Walmart during today’s event and drop a toy into the large collection boxes at the entrances.
To learn more about the history of the #JasmineStrong Toy Drive, organizers directed residents to the event page at jasminestoydrive.com.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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