VIENNA — The Maries County Sheriff’s Office has launched a Christmas toy drive, an effort Sheriff Mark Morgan says is rooted in the simple belief that every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas morning.

Morgan, now in his first year as sheriff, said the idea came from what his deputies witness daily.

“The motivation behind this toy drive is simple: every child deserves to feel the joy and excitement of Christmas morning,” he said. “Our deputies frequently encounter families facing difficult circumstances, especially toward the end of the year. Organizing this toy drive is a way for the Sheriff’s Office to give back, strengthen our relationship with the community, and ensure local children experience a special holiday.”

The sheriff’s office has already seen a strong response. Families have been reaching out through social media pages, word of mouth and local community partners. Morgan said he expects more requests as Christmas grows closer and that his office is prepared to help as many families as possible.

Donations of new toys may be dropped off at three locations across the county: Maries County Sheriff’s Office in Vienna, Belle City Hall, and the Dollar General Store in Vichy. All toys will be handled by sheriff’s office staff, who will sort and prepare them for distribution. Morgan said the decision not to bring in outside volunteers was made to maintain accountability and keep operations organized.

“We greatly appreciate the community’s willingness to help,” he said, “but keeping things internal ensures everything is age appropriate, safe and ready for delivery.”

Morgan confirmed he plans to personally deliver toys on Christmas Day once donations are sorted and consolidated.

“Our goal is to make the delivery process respectful, timely and memorable for the children receiving the gifts,” he said.

While several community partners are assisting by hosting collection sites, the sheriff’s office is not accepting monetary donations of any kind, focusing instead on a toys-only approach. Morgan said this ensures full transparency and that donated items will go directly to a child in Maries County.

For families who may hesitate to seek assistance, Morgan offered reassurance.

“There is absolutely no shame in asking for help,” he said. “Life brings challenges to everyone, and our goal is simply to support families and make children smile on Christmas morning. This program exists for our community, and we encourage any family in need to reach out. We’re here to help, without judgment and with full confidentiality.”

Families in need of assistance may contact the sheriff’s office by calling (573) 422-3381 or through Facebook messenger. Donors may drop off toys during regular business hours at any of the designated locations.