Origin

The Toy Drive began as a Teddy Bear Drive during a Holiday Reception in December of 1998 in appreciation for local law enforcement personnel that assisted in the search and rescue of an RCTC employee's son during a horse back riding accident.

Understanding that children find themselves in tramatic situations everyday, the UCR employees continued to conduct a "Teddy Bear Drive" annually from 1998 through 2010 during the holiday season. The stuffed animals were donated to the Olmsted County Sheriff's Department, and shared with other local agencies who come upon children in need of a "friend."

Beginning in 2010, the Teddy Bear Drive converted to a Toy Drive, and today the toys are given to a local non-profit organization who's sole mission is to help families in need during the Holidays.