Local businesses take part in toy drive

Picture are, from left to right, Marisa Valente, Mattison Smith, Carmen Arellano and Jessie Willson, who are part of the Leading Ladies toy drive.

Members of the nonprofit service group Leading Ladies, which consists of high school juniors and seniors from Lamar, Emery and Bellaire will collect more than 500 toys for needy children on Houston's south side.  

The Pre-K Pals Toy Drive will benefit students at Houston ISD's Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Early Childhood.

"I've been a part of several toy drives that simply ask for toys and you never know what happens after you donate them," co-chair of the drive and Lamar High School senior Sarah Knop said in a press release. "Our event will be very special. We're doing everything from start to finish. Our girls will have a hands-on role by getting sponsors involved, collecting toys, wrapping toys and then, the best part, giving them away."

A kickoff party for the toy drive will be held Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Carmelita's Mexican Restaurant, at 5423 Bellaire Blvd., Houston. A total of 10 percent of the day's sales will go toward the toy drive. Diners are also invited to bring a toy in order to receive a bonus $10 gift card from business owner Carmen Arellano.

Pre-school-appropriate toys can be dropped off until Tuesday, Dec. 18 at Helfman Fiat, at 7720 Katy Freeway, Houston; Fish City Grill, at 5172 Buffalo Speedway and Southside Place City Hall, at 6309 Edloe Ave.

"We're very excited about the outcome," co-chair of the toy drive and Bellaire High School junior Jessie Willson said in a press release. "I hope we get more than 500 toys. I hope we get 1,000 and can adopt more schools."