Students in Baker School District elementary schools raised about $3,000 in a competitive coin drive to help provide toys for children in foster care this Christmas.

Fourth through sixth graders from South Baker Intermediate went with principal Buell Gonzales Jr. on Thursday, Dec. 14 to deliver a check for about $1,400 to Diana Brown from CASA, the nonprofit whose volunteers represent children in court hearings.

The students gathered at Lew Brothers Les Schwab tires. Brown’s husband, Rocky, and Rocky’s brother, Jim, own the tire store.

South Baker and other students also contributed to the toy drive sponsored by Lew Brothers.

For the past several years, students at local elementary schools have competed to raise money through a coin drive. In addition to South Baker’s donation, students at Haines Elementary raised about $500, and Brooklyn Primary students brought in over $1,100.

In addition to the coins, Opal Maliwauki, a sixth grader at South Baker, made 300 bracelets to sell for $1 each, and donated the proceeds from the sales.

Her efforts helped her class win a pizza party.

Diana Brown said she’s gratified by the outpouring of support this year.

“These people are amazing, this town is amazing,” Brown said. “South Baker and Brooklyn went into competition some years ago and we’ve been running the toy drive for about 30 years now. Everything stays in Baker County.”

Brown said toys displayed at Lew Brothers, including dolls, toy horses, fishing gear, action figures and more, were also donated.

Other local residents dropped off cash or checks.

“We expanded the drive over the last couple of years, we now help other stressed children and families because those who gave responded so generously to the program,” Brown said. “We have people giving year after year.”

Besides toys, there are also donations of blankets and winter clothing.

“It’s a good program, and year after year this town amazes me,” Brown said.