Korey’s Joy Drive honors the memory of Korey Cochran, a city employee who passed away from brain cancer in 2017

VANCOUVER – The city of Vancouver invites the community to support the eleventh annual Korey’s Joy Drive with donations of toys and warm clothing for neighbors in need starting Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Korey’s Joy Drive honors the memory of Korey Cochran, a city employee who passed away from brain cancer in 2017. He received the rare cancer diagnosis just before the holiday season.

“Since establishing Korey’s Joy Drive, we’ve collected more than 16,000 items to support families in need during the holidays,” said Jen Thomas with the City’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. “Thanks to the generosity of our community and local business partners, we’ve doubled the number of charities we can support.” From Nov. 12 to Dec. 10, City employees will collect gift cards and new, unwrapped toys and new youth, teen and adult winter coats, gloves, socks and hats. All donations will be delivered to seven local non-profits including: Children’s Center and Open House Ministries, Sea Mar Parent-Child Assistance Program, Share of Vancouver, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, YWCA Clark County and Fosterful.

Community members can contribute at one of these public drop off sites:

· Edward Jones – Greg Hiatt – 5512 N.E. 109th Court, Suite D

· Firstenburg Community Center – 700 N.E. 136th Ave.

· Kazoodles Toys & Gifts – 13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.

· Latte Da Coffee House & Wine Bar – 205 E. 39th St.

· Marshall Community Center – 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.

· The Al Angelo Company – 400 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Suite 500

· Vancouver City Hall – 415 W. 6th St.

· Vancouver Fire Department Station 5 – 7110 N.E. 63rd St.

· Vancouver Operations Center front desk – 4711 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.

· Vancouver Police West Precinct – 2800 N.E. Stapleton Rd.

· Vancouver Police East Precinct – 520 S.E. 155th Ave.

· Vancouver Utilities front desk – 2323 General Anderson Rd.

· Water Resources Education Center – 4600 S.E. Columbia Way

· West Vancouver Dental – 117 E. 39th St.

Shop local while giving: Purchasing gifts from local retailers helps keep dollars in Vancouver’s economy, supporting local jobs and services. Community members are encouraged to buy toys for donation from local businesses like Kazoodles Toys & Gifts, 13503 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. (or order online) and Lyon and Pearle, 607 Washington Street (or order online).

Contributions can also be made via an Amazon Wish List. Choose from a variety of pre-selected items or choose your own to be shipped directly to the Joy Drive.

Local businesses interested in hosting a collection site may contact Jen Thomas at (360) 487-7019 or jen.thomas@cityofvancouver.us.

Learn more at www.cityofvancouver.us/koreysjoydrive.

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.