12-11-2024 4:05am

26 Years Playing

Hello Friends,

We are Beverly and Pete O'Neal, founders of the It's Kindertime Toy Drive. This toy drive unifies police and other first responders throughout the state of Maryland with the communities they serve. Toys are collected throughout the holiday season and distributed to sick, needy and homeless children throughout the state of Maryland.

Our toy drivers as we call them are very excited about our upcoming event. This dedicated group consists of police, fire fighters, politicians and community members. Toys are collected during the month of December and distributed on one magical night by a caravan of police and other first responders, This is the 26th year for the drive and we are very excited. Our location is the same this year - Huber Community Life Center on the corner of Loch Raven Blvd. and Belvedere Ave. (5700 Loch Raven Blvd).

For those of you who might be new to the toy drive, here’s a little bit of the history. Founded by my wife Beverly and I, the toy drive is in its 26th year providing toys to sick and needy children throughout Maryland. Each year during the holiday season, toys are collected at Baltimore County Volunteer and Career Firehouses, Maryland State Police, and various churches and community organizations.

Throughout its many years of operation, the toy drive has distributed hundreds of thousands of toys. During the week preceding the Christmas holiday, identified organizations and groups go to Huber Community Life Center at 5700 Loch Raven Blvd. to pick up toys.

Then on December 23rd police officers from various jurisdictions across the state, firefighters, politicians and community leaders gather in preparation to participate in the biggest police caravan in the state of Maryland. The caravan which has measured a mile long snakes throughout the city to greet children and families at various locations.

This toy drive benefits children and parents who are in need. It also benefits firefighters and police officers who get a chance to showcase the good works they do in the community. The toy drive is dedicated to fallen police officers and firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to the memory of my mother, Jeromia O’Neal, who was murdered in 1993.

The toy drive pays homage to the group of dedicated Baltimore City homicide detectives who refused to retire until her case was solved. Joining my wife and I in leadership roles are our sons Pete Jr., Patrick and their wives Chantal and Genevieve.

Hunt Valley Life encourages you to help out.

The Founders, Pete and Beverly O'Neal say:

The toy drive is dedicated to fallen police and first responders and to the memory of Pete's mother who was murdered in 1993. Her murder became a cold case and homicide detectives nearing retirement refused to retire until it was solved.

LOGISTICS- As last year we will meet at Huber Community Life Center at 5700 Loch Raven Blvd at 3:30 on December 23rd. Food will be provided. Some of our recipients will pick up their toys directly from Huber. We will also drive by or stop at various hospitals, community organizations and firehouses. Our toy donation deadline for the 2024 year is Sunday, December 22nd.

Please check Facebook or this website on the day of the event for any additional last minute updates!