Special to Iredell Free News

Drivers and staff at the UPS Statesville Center in Statesville are collecting unwrapped toys, clothing, and gifts for local fellow families who have been impacted this year by circumstances beyond their control.

UPS will have a drop-off box for unwrapped toys and gifts at 147 Parcel Drive, Statesville. These items will be collected and taken to The Cove Church, which will ensure they are given to Iredell County families.

Families in need will be identified through schools, churches, Mooresville Christian Mission, the Department of Social Services, and foster programs.

The Cove Church has been collected gifts for families for many years. This year organizers are striving to fill a UPS truck.

“With there being a much greater need for us to support one another than any previous year, we are reaching out to you to help us fill this UPS truck and help those around you and stand together as one community!” organizers said in a news release.

You can drop off unwrapped toys at the Statesville location or you can leave an unwrapped gift out when expecting a package delivery and the UPS elves will grab them. Please mark the gift with “Fill A Truck Donation for UPS.”

Please have toys in by December 11 as the toy store is on December 12. Donations made after December 11 will also go to families in need that may have missed the deadline.

Anyone who wants to serve these families at the toy store is welcome to help out at 9 a.m. on December 12 at The Cove Church Statesville campus, located at 935 Crossroads Drive.