Published on December 03, 2024

The Wheeling Police Department and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office are again preparing for its annual ‘Operation Toy Lift’ at the Ohio Valley Mall in Saint Clairsville this weekend.

This year, the event will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 in the mall parking lot near Ulta Beauty.

This day starts with a small parade around the mall, with Santa arriving at the Toy Lift site at 10 a.m. After the parade, donation drop-offs will be accepted until 4 p.m. Various community members will be helping throughout the day by grabbing the public’s attention from the roadway in the ‘Toy Lift.’

Those wishing to contribute to the event can purchase a new toy for kids of all ages—including infants and teenagers—and drop it off at the donation site. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can give cash or write a check to the United Way for the Upper Ohio Valley and write “Toy Lift” in the memo line.

“Since this will be my last Toy Lift as the Sheriff of Belmont County, I hope everyone in the valley comes out to support this great cause and make it the best one yet,” Sheriff Dave Lucas said.

Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger added, “We appreciate the community's support and continue to make Christmas special for Ohio Valley children through Operation Toy Lift. Please consider donating a toy or making a monetary donation next Saturday.”
 
After the event concludes, the toys collected will be distributed to kids in need through the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley.