EAST ST. LOUIS – This holiday season, Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) are collecting toys to give children in need a special holiday surprise.

The toys will be collected now through Dec. 10. Toys for children of all ages can be dropped off at Belt’s office, located at Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building #10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A in East St. Louis. Residents can drop off toys Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

EAST ST. LOUIS – Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) have teamed up to help communities in need this holiday season.

Belt and Greenwood will be at Mason Clark Middle School, located at 5510 State Street in East St. Louis, from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, then at Cahokia Fitness Center, located at 509 Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights, later on that day from 1-3 p.m.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To give back this holiday season, Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) has teamed up with Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) to host a Thanksgiving food giveaway.

Belt and Greenwood will be at Mason Clark Middle School, located at 5510 State Street in East St. Louis, from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, then at Cahokia Fitness Center, located at 509 Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights, later on that day from 1-3 p.m.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) encourages people to help lift up veterans across the state by asking service organizations, volunteers and others to write friendly letters to veterans’ home residents ahead of Veterans Day.

“The district I represent is home to a large population of veterans, each of them being valued members of the community,” Belt said. “Some have lost their lives, and some continue to endure the impacts of their service, and we must honor, recognize, and show appreciation to all of them.”

Operation Rising Spirit is an initiative of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs that encourages communities to write letters to residents in the care of veterans’ homes in Illinois. At a time when isolation is at a record high, the letters are meant to extend friendly affirmation for the bravery and courage of veterans both throughout their service and the pandemic.