Cardinals to hold charity gift drive for military families

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals' third annual gift drive to support children of military families at Scott Air Force Base and other area charity agencies will take place on Dec. 3, the organization announced on Wednesday.

From 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. CT that day, members of the Cardinals' front office, along with volunteers and Fredbird, will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children under 12 and gift cards for teenagers at the Clark Street entrance to Ballpark Village. Anyone who makes a donation will receive a Cardinals stocking, stocking stuffer, coupon for a free Papa John's pizza and complimentary hot chocolate (while supplies last).

Fredbird will then hand out the collected toys and gift cards during a Breakfast with Santa event at the Scott Air Force Base on Dec. 6. Another group of gifts will be donated to partner agencies of Cardinals Care, the organization's charitable arm that assists children in the St. Louis community.

Over the past two years, the Cardinals have collected close to 2,000 toys and gift cards through this charity drive.