Eighth annual Korey’s Joy Drive breaks giving record

City employee and community volunteers and Cochran family with the 2022 drive haul. Photo courtesy city of Vancouver

Korey’s Joy Drive honors the memory of Korey Cochran, a city of Vancouver employee who passed away from brain cancer at age 38 in 2017

VANCOUVER – The city of Vancouver thanks community members for supporting the eighth annual Korey’s Joy Drive. More than 3,000 new toys and winter clothing items were collected over four weeks, making this the most successful Korey’s Joy Drive since 2015.

“We would like to thank all of the local businesses who partnered with us this year and the incredible generosity of individual community members for your donations,” said Jen Thomas with the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department. “Because of you, we collected 1,000 more toys and warm clothing items than in 2021 – spreading joy to even more local charities and the families they serve.”

City employees and kids help sort toys. Photo courtesy city of Vancouver

Korey’s Joy Drive honors the memory of Korey Cochran, a city of Vancouver employee who passed away from brain cancer at age 38 in 2017. Community members helped spread holiday cheer by dropping off items at 24 collection sites, including City offices and community centers, select local businesses and through an Amazon wish list between November 16 and December 14.

On Dec. 15, Korey Cochran’s wife and two children and 30 City employee and community volunteer “elves” counted and sorted the massive haul of toy and winter clothing donations at City Hall. The donations were delivered to eight local non-profits, including Randall Children’s Hospital, Open House Ministries, Children’s Center, Children’s Justice Center, Share, Sea Mar Parent‐Child Assistance Program, YWCA Clark County and Fosterful.

Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle with Cochran Family and Drive Organizer Jen Thomas. Photo courtesy city of Vancouver

City officials would like to extend a special thanks to the local businesses who collected donations through public collection sites or workplace drives: