In response to the recent natural disaster in Western North Carolina, an East to West Christmas toy and gift drive has been launched to bring holiday cheer to families affected by Hurricane Helene.

Community members can participate by donating wrapped toys/gifts, labeled with the intended age range and gender to ensure each child receives an appropriate gift. Donations will be accepted from November 5th through December 10th, and the items will be distributed in Western NC from December 13-15.

Donated toys/gifts can be dropped off at the following Edward Jones locations:

Financial Advisors: Georgiana Bowman and Robert Kinsley at 246 Craven St., New Bern
Financial Advisor: Josh Sweeley at 701 W Fire Tower Rd, Suite D, Winterville
Financial Advisor: Stokes Malone at 4130 W Vernon Ave., Suite J, Kinston

Additional collection box locations are located at the D.R. Horton's model homes in New Bern located at:

Lake Tyler: 204 Lake Tyler Dr.
West New Bern: 1001 Chiles Dr.
Bayberry Park: 1007 Alizarin Ln.
Madeline Farm: 4004 Madeline Farm Blvd.

And additional Edward Jones collection points located at the branch offices of:

Stuart O'Neal and Jon Oliver at 106 E 15th Street, Washington
Cheryl Mansfield at 230 Highway 24, Suite B, Morehead City
Mike Sprague and Bruce Fortin in Havelock
Tammy Malone, Jeffery Davis and Mackenzie DeVane in Kinston
And the New Bern branches of Michael Bass and Jordan Silver, Joanna Carr and Taylor Paramore, Elizabeth Hartman, Kevin Page, and Dan Roberts.

East to West Christmas is a grassroots initiate to support families in Western NC who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene by collecting, delivering, and distributing wrapped donated toys and gifts.