RELEASE: Cardinals to host 6th annual holiday gift drive to support youth

Fans Asked To Donate New, Unwrapped Toys or Gift Cards Outside Busch Stadium on December 6

ST. LOUIS, Mo., November 20, 2017 – The St. Louis Cardinals Front Office and Cardinals Care are teaming up with the American Red Cross, KMOV, Rawlings Sporting Goods, Fontbonne University, Companion Bakery, The Cup and the St. Louis Blues to provide holiday gifts to area youth in need and children of military families at Scott Air Force Base.  Special thanks go out to Papa John’s Pizza and the new “Magic of Lights” display at Gateway Motorsports Park for their support of this year’s holiday gift drive as well.

In the sixth year of the annual holiday event, the club is asking fans to support a gift drive for local children of all ages on Wednesday, December 6, by dropping off new, unwrapped toys or gift cards at the Gate 4 entrance to Busch Stadium along Clark Street.  Fredbird and volunteers from each partnering organization will be outside Gate 4 to collect gifts from 6:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Fans who make a donation will receive a token of appreciation from the Cardinals and a complimentary hot chocolate from Delaware North Sportservice.

Last year alone, the organization collected, wrapped and distributed over 2,000 toys for kids in the St. Louis area.  Additionally, fans have dropped off over 6,000 toys and gift cards at Busch Stadium since the event’s inception.

“The outpour of donations during our annual gift drive over the past few years has been tremendous,” said Michael Hall, Vice President of Community Relations and Executive Director of Cardinals Care.  “Not only do the gifts bring joy to a child’s holiday season, but it shows the children that the entire St. Louis community cares about them.”

A portion of the toys and gift cards will be given out by Fredbird during Breakfast with Santa at Scott Air Force Base, hosted by the American Red Cross, on December 9.  The remaining gifts will be distributed to select Cardinals Care partner agencies throughout the holiday season.

Fans can learn more about the gift drive at cardinals.com/giftdrive.  #Gifts4Kids