Mac & Gaydos to hold Caring for Kids collection drive through Dec. 21

It’s that time of year again: KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Mac & Gaydos is kicking off its sixth-annual Caring for Kids collection drive to gather supplies for children in need.

This year’s effort, led by hosts Mac Watson and Larry Gaydos, will benefit Child Crisis Arizona and Arizona Helping Hands, two local organizations that assist vulnerable children.

From Monday to Dec. 21, listeners can drop off donations at any Phoenix-area Walgreens or at the Goodyear, Deer Valley or Osborn branches of Canyon State Credit Union.

This year’s Caring for Kids drive will wrap up on Dec. 21, when Mac & Gaydos will broadcast live from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Walgreens at Seventh Street and Thunderbird Road in Phoenix.

Listeners who want to drop off their donations during the show can also meet special guests from the North Pole — Santa and Mrs. Claus — and take photos with them.

Arizona’s Morning News‘ Jim Sharpe and Jayme West and Pamela Hughes of the Bruce St. James & Pamela Hughes show will also be accepting donations from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the same day at the Walgreens at Warner Road and McClintock Drive in Tempe.

The donations that are in need include toiletries, diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6, baby wipes, boys’ and girls’ clothing, socks, bedding, toys and gas and retail gift cards. Only new items will be accepted.

Mac & Gaydos has partnered with Walgreens and Bellhops Moving to hold this year’s Caring for Kids drive, which is presented by Canyon State Credit Union.

Last year’s Mac & Gaydos’ Caring for Kids collection drive amounted in thousands of donations, including more than 200,000 diapers.

Child Crisis Arizona operates the only emergency shelters for children in the Valley and licenses, trains and supports foster and adoptive families. The organization also provides early childhood education through a preschool, parenting classes, workshops and playgroups.

Arizona Helping Hands assists foster families who have provided a home for children in the Arizona Department of Child Safety system.

Find more information about this year’s Caring for Kids collection drive here.