The Captain’s Panel, a group of Coupeville High School athletes, is holding a toy drive through Friday, Dec. 13.

The Captain’s Panel is working in conjunction with the middle and high school student bodies in conducting the drive.

New boxed or packaged toys can be dropped off at the Coupeville High School and Coupeville Middle School main offices or at basketball games through next Friday.

The high school varsity and JV basketball teams play Orcas Island beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and Concrete at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.

The C-team hosts Squalicum at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.

The middle school plays Sultan at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Monetary donations can be sent to Holiday House, PO Box 280, Langley, WA 98260.

This is a a project of the Readiness to Learn Foundation, who also partners with Toys for Tots and other community organizations to help provide toys and financial assistance to those in the Whidbey Island community who need an extra hand.

The goal is to help families in need of assistance and to provide an opportunity for the Coupeville athletes to serve the community.

“The Captain’s Panel is comprised of sophomore through senior athletes who have been selected by their coaches as leaders, people of character and highly motivated student athletes,” Coupeville Athletic Director Willie Smith said. “One of the goals of this club is service, and they have provided elementary students with sports clinics last spring and this fall.

“Additionally, they have chosen to take on this challenge and get our entire community behind this toy drive to help our families in our community. These students have planned, coordinated,and organized the entire toy drive, working with both schools to promote and educate our students to this cause.”