Eighth annual Korey’s Joy Drive breaks giving record

VANCOUVER — The eighth annual Korey’s Joy Drive broke its previous giving record, with more than 3,000 new toys and winter clothing items collected over four weeks.

“We would like to thank all of the local businesses who partnered with us this year and the incredible generosity of individual community members for your donations,” said Jen Thomas with the city of Vancouver’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. “Because of you, we collected 1,000 more toys and warm clothing items than in 2021 — spreading joy to even more local charities and the families they serve.”

Korey’s Joy Drive honors the memory of Korey Cochran, a city employee who died from brain cancer at age 38 in 2017.

Community members helped spread holiday cheer by dropping off items between Nov. 16 and Dec. 14 at 24 collection sites, including city offices and community centers and select local businesses and through an Amazon wish list.

On Dec. 15 at City Hall, Korey Cochran’s widow and two children and 30 city employee and community volunteer “elves” counted and sorted the haul of donations, which were then delivered to eight local nonprofits, including Randall Children’s Hospital, Open House Ministries, The Children’s Center, Children’s Justice Center, Share, Sea Mar Parent Child Assistance Program, YWCA Clark County and Fosterful.