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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com

A family’s tribute to a lost son helped bring Christmas to nearly 200 Carter County children on Monday.

The second annual Weston Cosey Memorial Toy Drive was held at Harmony Free Will Baptist Church in honor of Weston Cosey, a 6-year-old child who tragically passed away in November of 2019.

Weston’s family provided Christmas gifts for 167 community children.

“Every year since his passing, we have done a toy drive on his birthday in May where everyone in the community has a chance to donate,” said Heather Allen, Weston’s mother. “Most of the donations come from the family, the church, and the community, but my mother buys all throughout the year so it is through that that we are able to host this event.”

The event has grown each year. “Last year we were able to provide gifts for 60 kids, and this year we have increased that number to 167. However, in total this year we have been able to help out 197 kids, giving 21 to youth club cheerleaders and providing some to children after their Christmas program last night,” said Allen.

It’s an event that not only means so much to the children who receive gifts for the holiday, but for Weston’s family as well.

“He was such a happy kid, he loved everyone and always wanted to make people smile and laugh. This toy drive is essentially how we keep going. If we can see that same thing in one child’s eyes by giving them a gift then we still have a part of him with us,” said Weston’s aunt, Jessica Gryder.