The mother of a fallen Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper has been crisscrossing the state this month as she collects toys given in her son's memory.
Trooper James M. Bava became the 31st member of the Highway Patrol to die in the line of duty on Aug. 28, 2015. The 25-year-old was killed in a one-vehicle crash as he was trying to pull over a speeding suspect in Audrain County.
Shortly after the trooper's death, his mother, Alyce Bava said, the family began looking for ways to remember and honor his Oct. 23 birthday.
His older sister, Katie, remembered when, as a child, James had entered a drawing sponsored by Toys "R" Us and won $100 to be used at the store.
"Being the good parents that we are, we stressed to him to use it to help someone else," Alyce Bava explained to a group of Troop E employees.
James, she said, was taken shopping and picked out toys, which were then donated to the Salvation Army.
"He never lost that love of buying toys for children and getting the opportunity to donate them," Alyce Bava said.
It was remembering James' past giving that led his family to create a toy drive in his honor. The collected toys will be donated to St. Louis Children's Hospital and Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo.
The toy drive is now in its second year, with seven of the patrol's nine troops participating again this year.
On Thursday afternoon, Alyce Bava made a stop at Troop E Headquarters in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to pick up the numerous boxes containing various toys and books.
"We're so appreciative of everyone's involvement in the toy drive again this year," Alyce Bava said. "Originally, we did not intend to go statewide."
Alyce Bava said her family has been "overwhelmed with gratitude" in the willingness of everyone to participate.
The troops, such as Troop E, have been welcoming to her and her family as they arrive to pick up the toys.
"We're so appreciative that the patrol is helping us, as a family, remember and honor him," said Alyce Bava, who described her son's death as still being "difficult," but indicated the hospitality shown to them is comforting.
While attending an earlier retirement, Alyce Bava said, someone told her it was "good for the patrol to see me and our family often."
The person, she said, described the Bava family as a "reminder of what this job entails," but also as something no one "likes to think about."
Alyce Bava said her family is a reminder, but it is of the "moms and dads, husbands and wives, children, brothers and sisters who love and stand behind each of you.
"The staff here and at headquarters (in Jefferson City) love and support you" though the "days are long and shifts hard."
Alyce Bava said her family does not "take the patrol family for granted. We appreciate so much the work you do."
Alyce Bava told the staff they share the "same heart" her son had for others.
"You do the right things (but) the community doesn't often appreciate you" for it, she said.
The toy drive, she said, not only honors and remembers her son, but it also is "a way of honoring the giving nature of the patrol, who shares the same giving and service and (for it) to be an example of good in the community."
Capt. Jeff Vitale, Troop E's commanding officer, said the staff will continue to participate every year.
Thanks to the efforts of radio operator Patricia Limbaugh, who organized the efforts, Vitale said, everyone "came through to provide for a special toy drive. ... You are always in our thoughts and prayers."
Limbaugh, he said, did a "great job last year and really stepped up again" this year.
Alyce Bava stressed the toy drive is not connected with Christmas, but is in honor of her son's birthday, and the collected toys will be used to replenish the hospitals' toy bags that become depleted throughout the year.