With the upcoming holiday season, the Panther Express: Toy Drive’s goal is to make sure every child has a toy for the holidays.

In order to make that goal a reality, the Panther Express has partnered with the One Stop Community Christmas, which supplies toys and other home supplies to families in six counties: Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Edgar, Shelby and Douglas.

The One Stop Community Christmas is a holiday assistance program that lets families go through a shop-like atmosphere to pick up toys and other supplies for the holidays.

Rachel Fisher, the director of student community service, said the One Stop Community Christmas started because different toy collective groups wanted to benefit the most people.

Fisher said for the toy drive, they will be collecting new toys for ages 18 and below.

However, they would prefer items for kids ages 11 and up.

“We are particularly focused on kids ages 11 and up because we certainly know those are some of the harder ones to shop for,” Fisher said.

However, they will accept other items such as bedding, laundry detergent, books and new jackets.

Fisher said even fresh sheets and blankets can be a treasure for someone who does not have them.

She said that she is excited to give blanket to children too.

“Our hope is to have enough blankets so every child could have a new blanket and then it’s theirs,” Fisher said.

The Mattoon Public Library is donating books with the goal of every child having a new book this holiday season.

Fisher said One Stop Community Christmas will also accept monetary donations to help supply other items that are in greater need.

Fisher said last year, One Stop Community Christmas gave toys to about 1,500 local children and 500 local families.

She said they are hoping to supply toys and household items to 700 to 800 local families this year.

“Any and all items will be incredibly appreciated and will immediately go into the hands of someone who will have great value in them,” Fisher said.

Items can be dropped off at the Human Services Building, the Academic Advising Center, the history and special education offices as well as the Student Community Service and

business office located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Items will be collected until Dec. 12.

Fisher said she hopes to see many items donated because the holidays are the time for giving.

“It certainly is a time of year when people are very aware of giving and the value of family,” Fisher said. “We certainly see culturally, there’s a real desire to give back during the holiday season.”

Fisher said when people are out with their families or friends, it is easy to pick up something extra to donate.

“Something you would enjoy, grab one more,” Fisher said. “It’s going to be a great gift to someone in our community.”

Amanda Wilkinson can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].