Casino starts fourth annual Toy Drive

By Angela Sears

Spirit Mountain Casino marketing coordinator

For the fourth consecutive year, Spirit Mountain Casino is staging its annual holiday Toy Drive to benefit Doernbecher Children's Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.

New, unwrapped toys and games are being accepted at the casino's Coyote Club desk through Sunday, Dec. 18.

Casino guests who bring in one or more toys will receive $10 in free slot play per visit and are encouraged to make multiple trips to receive a maximum of $50 in slot play during the promotional period.

"Each year, we've surpassed the previous year's number of toys donated to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital," said Rodney Ferguson, Spirit Mountain Casino chief executive officer. "Once again we hope to see our guests answer the call and donate generously, even in this tough economic climate, to brighten the Christmas season for children and teens having a much more difficult battle."

Last year, two TP Freight Lines semi-trailer trucks delivered 28 pallets loaded with 254 boxes of toys to the hospital's receiving dock. This year's delivery date will be Monday, Dec. 19.

A suggested list of toys and games to donate includes rattlers, soft musical toys and stacking rings and sorting toys for infants and toddlers; tea sets, baby dolls, small trucks, basketballs and footballs, crayons and board games for pre-school and school-age children; and art kits and supplies, journals, current DVDs, new books, gift cards and hair accessories for teenagers.

For more information about possible gifts, visit www.spiritmountain.com or stop by the Coyote Club desk.