Hinesville Councilwoman of District 3 Vicky Nelson will host a toy drive at 10 a.m. Dec. 9 at Irene B. Thomas Park.

Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child between the ages of 0 and 5. All donated toys will be given to the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority’s Head Start Program.

In addition to the toy drive, Otha Thornton will be speaking on the importance of early childhood education and its benefits. Thornton, a native of Elberton in northeast Georgia, is running for Georgia State School Superintendent.

Thornton is the immediate past president of the National PTA and currently works as a senior operations analyst with General Dynamics on Fort Stewart. He is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, a member of the Richmond Hill Church of Christ and a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association.

This event will include free fried fish, Louisiana-style gumbo and hot dogs. For more information, please call Nelson at 912-271-9814.