UXBRIDGE – Toys For Kids & Teens in Uxbridge is going above and beyond this Christmas, servicing over 150 families in holiday gift donations, a new record for the toy drive’s 25-year lifespan. To accommodate this, the drive is requesting toy donations for kids aged 1 through 14 until December 21st.
Toys For Kids & Teens is a needs-based program sponsored by local corps and veterans, according to the drive’s lead organizer Bill Audette. Every year, toys get delivered through donations from residents and Stuff-A-Cruiser events from local police departments. Such departments include Grafton PD, Uxbridge PD, among others.
“This is for the people who are having a tough time at home.” according to Audette. “We’ve started in Uxbridge, and we’ve gone all over the place since then”.
As of now, the toy drive has 148 applicants looking to receive gifts during difficult times. Audette is always accepting new applicants and recommends those interested to fill out their application.
After inspection, online applications will be sent to volunteers from the toy drive’s office. Those volunteers will then pick up the requested toys, and applicants will receive a call to pick up their toys in a wrapped bag. The toy drive’s offices are currently located at 47 River Street in Millbury.
If readers only want to donate gifts, they can do so by dropping them at the toy drive’s Millbury location. Audette highly encourages people to donate toys for kids ages 5 to 13 years old, as they are currently short-handed. Roblox, Minecraft, or Fortnite gift cards are highly recommended.
Those interested in volunteering are asked to message the Toys for Kids & Teens Facebook page. Weekly schedules are Tuesdays through Saturdays starting on Thanksgiving, but hours are lenient for volunteers.
For monetary donations, the toy drive’s PayPal account is now up and running. Donations can be made to [email protected]. All donations are tax deductible.
If there’s one thing people should know about the Toys For Kids & Teens, according to Audette, “it’s all about the kids”.
