MAYOR'S MESSAGE December is here, and our community is gearing up for one of our most meaningful traditions. The Bus Jam Toy and Food Drive arrives this Saturday, December 6, and the excitement and generosity building around town show how ready we are to support families in need. For weeks now, donation bins have been filling steadily across Coos County and Reedsport. Businesses, civic organizations, and volunteers have stepped up without hesitation, helping ensure that every child in our community has a brighter holiday season. Whether someone donated a single toy, organized a collection at their workplace, or helped spread the word, each act reflects the belief that no child should feel forgotten this time of year. Bus Jam Toy and Food Drive began in 2002 as a small food drive created to support the local food pantry. That first year, the event took place at the Pony Village Mall with just one small bus and a handful of volunteers braving cold, rainy weather. In 2018, Bus Jam partnered with South Coast Bykes for Tykes, expanding the effort into an even larger community event. Twenty-two years later, Bus Jam has grown into the largest toy and food drive on the Southern Oregon Coast, providing help to more than 700 families and over 1,000 children from one day old through age 18 across Coos County and Reedsport. Today, Bus Jam continues its tradition of holding the annual collection on the first Saturday of December. For those who still wish to contribute, there is plenty of opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Donation Drop-Off Locations — Saturday, December 6, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Bi-Mart, Coos Bay • Bi-Mart, North Bend • Rogue Credit Union, Bandon You may donate a new, unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item at any drop-off location. As we head into the weekend, I want to express sincere gratitude to the businesses, volunteers, and neighbors who make Bus Jam possible each year. This event is more than a toy and food drive—it’s a reminder that we are one community, looking out for one another. I look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday as we continue this long-standing tradition of generosity and hope. -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay