The holiday season for many of us is about giving back, and what better way to spread joy than by donating toys to those in need?
There are several wonderful organizations and initiatives in and around Greenwich that allow you to give back by donating food or gifts to families in need.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a charitable program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve, established with the goal of collecting and distributing toys to children in need during the holiday season.
You can establish a local toy drop site through the Stamford chapter of Toys for Tots.
Contact local coordinator Chris Munger for more information. The local chapter also accepts monetary donations online.
Last year, the Stamford chapter distributed 20,949 toys and supported 9,048 children.
Neighbor to Neighbor holiday food drive
Neighbor to Neighbor is a nonprofit organization based in Greenwich that provides assistance to residents experiencing financial hardship.
During the holiday season, they run a virtual holiday food drive to collect items for local families facing food insecurity. You can learn more and donate on the nonprofit’s website.
In past years, Neighbor to Neighbor has also held holiday toy drives. Check their website or contact them directly for drop-off locations and additional information.
Alibis Holiday Gift Drive
Abilis is a local nonprofit that provides services and supports for over 800 individuals with special needs and their families from birth through their life span.
Abilis holds an annual gift drive to benefit young families that receive “Early Intervention Birth to Three” services. Some of these families have limited income and struggle to meet the basic needs for their family, the nonprofit says on its website.
Those interested are able to contribute by purchasing items from the Abilis’ Amazon holiday gift wish list, donating a new toy suitable for a child ages 1-3, donating diapers and wipes, or making a financial donation online.
Get more information on the drive and drop off locations on the nonprofit’s website.
Salvation Army's Adopt-a-Family program
This program run by the Salvation Army matches families in need with a sponsor, who can help by purchasing new clothing, toys, household items and food or grocery store certificates.
Those interested can get involved by filling out a form on the organization's website.
Greenwich PD's “Stuff-A-Cruiser” Holiday Toy Drive
The Greenwich Police Department is hosting “Stuff-A-Cruiser” on December 2nd in front of Greenwich Public Schools, 290 Greenwich Avenue, to collect new gifts for local needy youth during the holiday season.
If you can’t make the event on Dec. 2, you can still donate a gift anytime at the Greenwich Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Place, from Dec. 2 to 22.
Also on Dec. 2, first responders from the police department, fire department, and EMS are participating in the annual “Battle of the Badges” competition to donate blood to the American Red Cross.
Donors can select the department they wish to support, and the one with the most blood donations will be declared the winner. Additional details can be found on the town website.
Greenwich Department of Human Services Holiday Aid Program
This holiday aid program run by the Greenwich Department of Human Services collects monetary donations or $25 gift cards to Amazon, Target or Walmart.
Donations can be made online or mailed to: The Department of Human Services, Attn: Holiday Aid Program, 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.
The department also runs an adopt-a-family program, which pairs adopters up with families in need and allows them to donate items they family requests.
Those interested in adopting a family can contact Jamie Annunziato at (203) 622-3715 or jamie.annunziato@greenwichct.org.
