The fourth annual Matt Patterson Toy Drive kicked off last week at Logan Middle School.

The students at Logan Middle School collected toys and competing homerooms brought in toys. The winning homeroom was Mr. Hunt’s class. Each student received a gift bag for their efforts, according to a press release from Candy Patterson Brewer, the mother of Matt Patterson.

The annual toy drive is held each year around Christmastime in memory of the late Matt Patterson of King Shoals. Matt Patterson was a 1999 graduate of Logan High School and attended Marshall University. He was also a student at the University of Tennessee at the time of his passing.

Matt Patterson was active in life guarding at Chief Logan State Park until graduation and he continued working as a lifeguard during the summers at Myrtle Beach. He was also lifeguard supervisor and held a position on the National Search and Rescue team of our Myrtle Beach, S.C.

In his college years, Matt and his sister, Emily, assisted their mother with distribution of toys to under-privileged, abused and neglected children, during their Christmas break.

“Matt always looked forward to this part of Christmas and it brought much enjoyment to his family, as well as to others,” Patterson Brewer said.

Following his death, Matt Patterson’s family has chosen to continue the toy drive in his honor and memory “and his desire to give to the children in need,” Patterson Brewer said.

Dropoff boxes will be located at Giovanni’s in West Logan, and Logan County Emergency Center behind McDonald’s in Logan.

Matt is the son of Herman Patterson Jr., and Candy Patterson Brewer. He is the big brother of Emily Patterson and the grandson of Herman and Johnnie Patterson of King Shoals and Albert and the late “Shorty” Evans of Verdunville. He was also the nephew of the late Fred Evans of Verdunville.

Coordinating the Logan Middle School toy drive were Vicki Zeto, Donnetta Rainwater and Tana Epperhart.

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Contact persons for the toy drive are Patterson Brewer at 304-752-9609, Cheryl Grigg at 304-855-8438, Angel Ray at 304-752-2394, Beth Foxx at 304-752-2394 and Paula Butcher at 304-752-5608.