KALEIGH ’ S SLEIGH
Nothing says “ I love you ” to a child during Christmas like a toy , and in Johnson County , one ministry hopes to say “ I love you ” to hundreds of children .
Kaleigh ’ s Sleigh , a ministry helping families provide toys for their children , is named for Kaleigh Rhea Moss , who died in 2020 at age 22 from a pulmonary embolism .
“ Six months after Kaleigh ’ s death , God awoke my heart to the name ‘ Kaleigh ’ s Sleigh ’ for the toy drive ,” organizer Julie Pool said . “ And with the blessing of Kaleigh ’ s wonderful parents , Kaleigh ’ s Sleigh took flight .”
Because Kaleigh loved horses , Pool made sure that the logo for the sleigh has a painted horse .
“ Our hearts ’ desire has always been to serve in our own backyard and to help our direct neighbors , and that is why we only serve families who live in the Johnson County boundary ,” Pool said .
The toy drive was first organized by Julie Pool ’ s husband Joshua , a chiropractor . The Pool family has held toy drives for 20 years under unofficial names like
Joshua Visitors Guide 2025 23
“ Dr . Pool ’ s Toy Drive .” But after Kaleigh ’ s death , a new tradition was born .
The Pools knew Kaleigh and loved her and her family . They were devastated by her loss .
“ Kaleigh collapsed in our office and through many attempts of resuscitation she was not able to be saved that day in December ,” Julie Pool said .
The Pool family continues the toy drive they have run for years — now in Kaleigh ’ s memory .
Each year , hundreds of parents register and show up at a specific time to shop for their children . Families receive two to three gifts per child , as well as a gift card and a grocery card , Pool said . They also can select stocking stuffers for their children and go to the “ wrap room ” where volunteers help wrap the gifts .
“ We are praying for God to also blessed the time with the families so that we can have Gospel conversations with all the participants ,” Pool said . “ By sharing the love of Christ with them , not only with material gifts , but we are praying that many of them will make professions of faith in Christ .” NorthPointe Church has become an invaluable partner in the event , Pool said .
“ We have gone door to door , we have partnered with school districts , we have done the giveaway at the high school parking lot , and now we are blessed to have NorthPointe coming alongside us and allow us to use their building , their team , and their resources to help support our endeavor ,” she said . For more information , visit
Kaleigh ’ s Sleigh on Facebook .