The city of Foley is helping bring holiday cheer to thousands of children across South Baldwin County by providing space for the 2026 Toys for Tots campaign.

Foley City Council approved a request Monday, Oct. 19, allowing the South Baldwin County Toys for Tots Campaign to use the first floor of the former Foley Public Library building at no charge through Dec. 31.

“The city is very happy to be able to support Toys for Tots,” said Cian Harrison, Foley executive director for general government and administration. “They needed a place to organize and distribute toys to local children, and the city was able to respond quickly and provide a space.”

City Councilman Tim Lower was contacted by Toys for Tots representatives seeking a location for the 2026 campaign. Lower said he and other city officials were glad to help support the annual effort to provide Christmas gifts to children in need.

"Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps League volunteers make sure no child in South Baldwin goes without a Christmas," Lower said. "When they needed space, Team Foley responded quickly, and I'm proud we could help. I encourage everyone to drop off a new, unwrapped toy this season."

The Toys for Tots campaign collects new, unwrapped toys for distribution to families with children in need during the holiday season. In 2025, the South Baldwin County campaign distributed toys to about 5,000 children in Foley and surrounding areas.

The campaign is sponsored by the Cpl. Joseph Whitehead Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

The former library building is located on East Laurel Avenue next to Foley City Hall. It served as the home of the Foley Public Library from 1984 until July of this year, when the facility closed ahead of the library's move to its current location on East Orange Avenue in August.

The city is now developing renovation designs for the former library building, which is intended to house municipal offices and serve other city government purposes.

Until then, the space will help the Toys for Tots campaign organize and distribute holiday gifts to children throughout South Baldwin County.