CLN’s Annual Christmas Toy Drive: Over 25 Years Helping Kids!

For a quarter century, the Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN), a Western Peer Community Company with over 4 million fans, has brightened the holidays for countless children in Superior, Arizona. This enduring tradition doesn’t just deliver toys, it delivers hope, joy, and a powerful message that every child matters.

Every year is a success, and always bigger than the last because of our fans and family. We really can’t thank all of our supporters enough. Your help means that Cowboy Lifestyle Network’s Christmas Toy Drive has an impact and will be remembered by many Arizona’s kids long into the future.

A Legacy Built on Compassion

What we know today as the CLN Christmas Toy Drive began with a simple act of kindness. In the 1950s, John and Barbra O’Donnell witnessed their mining community struggling during labor strikes. The couple, alongside their eleven children, worked quietly to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas food packages to families in need.

Their method was as meaningful as their mission: packages were delivered anonymously on Christmas Eve with help from the Superior Volunteer Fire Department. John always led the group in prayer before each delivery run, praying both for those giving and those receiving, while maintaining complete anonymity.

This foundation of selfless giving established the values that would later fuel the CLN Toy Drive.

From Family Tradition to CLN’s Moral Foundation

Superior faced significant economic hardship after the Magma Copper Mine closed in 1981. The O’Donnell children, carrying their parents’ legacy forward, established a Christmas food drive party in 2000 to help raise spirits during challenging times.

In 2011, brothers OD and Danny O’Donnell leveraged their newly-founded Cowboy Lifestyle Network to expand the family tradition. The CLN Annual Christmas Toy Drive was born, partnering with the Superior Fire Department, now under Fire Chief John Perez’s leadership, to reach Arizona’s children.

From these humble beginnings in the 1950s to the established community tradition it is today, the CLN Christmas Toy Drive has evolved while staying true to its core mission of bringing joy to Superior’s children.

How the Toy Drive Works Today

Each December 24th, a decorated fire truck travels through Superior with firefighters, volunteers, and CLN family members aboard. They distribute toys and candy stockings directly to children in their neighborhoods, creating moments of joy that last far beyond the holiday season.

The preparation begins the night before at the annual CLN Christmas Party, hosted at premier Phoenix venues like the Trophy Bar in Downtown Ocotillo Plaza. This gathering serves as both celebration and collection point, embodying the O’Donnell belief that community giving should be joyful for everyone involved.

“It’s not just toys; it’s a promise to never let our community’s kids feel forgotten. Mom and Dad taught us giving’s the real gift. This Drive’s how we honor them.”

Patrick O’Donnell,
CEO – Founder,
Cowboy Lifestyle Network

How You Can Contribute to the Toy Drive Tradition

The CLN Christmas Toy Drive depends on thoughtful donations from supporters like you. When selecting toys to donate, consider these guidelines:

• Choose new, unopened toys appropriate for various age groups
• Popular options include action figures, dolls, board games, LEGO sets, stuffed animals, and sports equipment
• Consider practical aspects—toys that don’t require batteries are often ideal
• Even modest gifts ($10-15) can make a significant difference when chosen with care

Bring your donations to the CLN Christmas Party on December 23rd and become part of a tradition defining holiday giving in Superior for generations.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the CLN Christmas Toy Drive

As we celebrate 25 years of the CLN Christmas Toy Drive, we remain committed to growing this family tradition into an even stronger community cornerstone. The O’Donnell vision of neighbors helping neighbors guides us as we strive to reach more children each year while preserving the personal touch that makes this tradition special.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or just discovering our story, join us this December 23rd to help write the next chapter in Superior’s holiday giving tradition. Together, we’ll ensure local children continue experiencing the magic of community care for generations to come.