Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com

Donations of toys and gifts are being collected to help make the holidays a bit brighter for children and teens at the LACASA Center.

The local non-profit’s Starry Night Holiday Toy Drive is once again underway. Donations of new, unwrapped toys or gift cards can be brought to the LACASA Collection, LACASA’s charity resale store, through December 9th.

Children and teens at LACASA Center are victims and survivors of abuse or neglect. Donated toys and gift cards are provided for youth who are living in LACASA’s Crisis Shelter and LACASA’s Transitional Supportive Housing units, as well as those receiving services at LACASA’s Children’s Center.

The items that LACASA children and teens need the most for the holidays include:

- Educational toys, games & books
- Arts and crafts kits
- Multi-cultural dolls
- Remote control toys
- Visa or big box store gift cards

LACASA President & CEO Bobette Schrandt said every year it fills me with joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they unwrap the presents Santa has brought them. To know that these children have gone through so much, and to watch their excitement, is truly heartwarming.”

The LACASA Collection is open seven days a week and is located at 120 W. Highland Road in the Kroger/Crossroads Town Center in Howell. Donations are placed under the store’s giving tree and gift givers are invited to hang a star on the tree with their names or initials on them.

Complete details are available in the provided link.