BATAVIA, OHIO (Dec. 22, 2025) – Clermont County Children’s Protective Services (CPS) will continue collecting new toys and winter coats, non-perishable food and monetary donations for needy families until noon Tuesday, Dec. 23.
If you would like to donate, see specific instructions below.
The drive, known as The Community Toy Chest, has been a holiday tradition for CPS for more than 30 years. The program will serve nearly 400 children this year from newborns to young adults up to age 21.
“The Community Toy Chest serves the most in need and at-risk youth in our community,” says Gast, an employee with the Department of Job and Family Services, who has been organizing the program for 34 years. “Our goal is to make sure every child in CPS care receives something special this holiday season.”
Gast and a crew of CPS case workers serve as Santa’s elves in the truest sense by matching those in need to donors.
Gast collects donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, co-operatives, churches and county employees. She begins organizing sponsors and donations in September for holiday delivery. Some donors serve as sponsors by providing specific gifts. This year Gast had more than 70 sponsors.
Others donate money or gift cards for anyone in need. Gast uses those donations for children who aren’t sponsored.
At last count for 2025, monetary donations totaled $1,757. In addition, more than 60 Amazon gift cards have been donated. One local business conducted a toy drive and one sponsored 15 children and also donated more than $2,100 for items for teens who didn’t have a dedicated sponsor.
And, thanks to Melanie Meece, many teens in care receive their gift cards in a handmade stocking, a special touch that would make Santa Claus proud. Meece, a retired employee from the Department of Jobs and Family Services, has been sewing stockings for teens for years. This year she donated 88 stockings.
