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Mom fulfills daughter's dying wish by collecting toys for sick children

Before her death, she asked her family to continue the toy drive each December. New toys are being collected until Dec. 20.
Credit: Clancy, Samuel

ST. LOUIS — Sydney Coari left her mark on this earth. A Lasting impression on the people she met, including many of us here at 5 On Your Side.

The 8-year-old from Hermann Missouri lost her brave fight to cancer last February. Gone but certainly not forgotten.

READ MORE: 'After I told her she was my hero, she said I know’: Young girl battling cancer dies

We first met Sydney last December when she delivered thousands of toys to Mercy Children's Hospital in Creve Coeur. Sydney had terminal cancer and decided to make a bucket list with her family. At the very top of the list was the toy drive to help other sick children. Before her death, she asked her family to continue the toy drive each December.

"She said sometime you don't have a reason to smile in the hospital and these toys would give kids a reason to smile. Sydney wanted us to give back and we're giving back," her mom Dana Manley said.

Dana spends her weekends hitting the road with donation boxes, placing them inside businesses that want to help make a girl's dying wish come true.

"Sydney's story didn't end well but it brought hope to a lot of people," said Dana.

New toys are being collected until Dec. 20 at the following locations:

USA Mortgage

12140 Woodcrest Executive Dr

St Louis, Mo.

First Bank

120 Jefferson St

St Charles, Mo.

Red Rose Salon

1022 1st Capitol Drive

St Charles, Mo.

Dad's Junction Cafe

421 Booneslick Road

New Florence, Mo.

New Day Gluten Free

7807 Clayton Road

Clayton, Mo.

O'Charley's

2204 State Highway K

O'Fallon, Mo.

Diamond Family

14441 Manchester Road

Ballwin, Mo.

Clarkson

17249 Chesterfield Airport Rd

Chesterfield, Mo.

Elliot's Auto Repair

422 South 3rd Street

Louisiana, Mo.

Crossroads Convenience Store

1001 US-61 BUS

Bowling Green, Mo.

Crossroad Convenience Store

110 Johnson

Middletown, Mo.

Crossroads Convenience Store

707 S Sturgeon St

Montgomery City, Mo.

Highway 67 BBQ

1152 N New Florissant Rd

Florissant, Mo.

Curvy Closet Resale & Boutique

6166 Howdershell

Hazelwood, Mo.

Max's Meat and Deli

432 Howdershell

Florissant, Mo.

OM Turtle Yoga and Spa

750 N highway 67

Florissant Meadows Shopping Center

Florissant, Mo.

Paul Manganelli American Family Insurance

505 Paul Ave

Florissant, Mo.

St Louis Ink

11629 West Florissant Ave

Florissant Mo.

Show Me's Sports Bar & Grill

1792 N New Florissant Road

Florissant Mo.

Cardinal Body Art

986 Wentzville Parkway

Wentzville, Mo.

David's Bicycle Shop

917 N Highway 67

Florissant, Mo.

Stems Florist

210 N St Francois

Florissant, Mo.

Smith Automotive

Vandalia, Mo.

Hobo Bar & Grill

Laddonia, Mo.

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