Donations Need to fill 40,000 Gift Requests This Year Leave a toy in the box or visit westchester-county-ny.toysfortots.org.
By Dan Murphy
One of the most successful non-for-profit charities that give kids who don’t get a lot for Christmas a gift under their tree is the Westchester Toys for Tots program. For the past 8 years, Steve and Kelly Topilnycky have led the Toys for Tots Westchester program. And year after year, the demand for more gifts keeps growing.
Last year, Toys for Tots Westchester was able to provide over 28,000 toys for kids. This year, there are 40,000 requests for gifts, a more than 25% increase.
The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys, and to help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope, to America’s less fortunate children.
97% of every donation goes directly to Toys for Tots Westchester. The traditional way to make a donation is to place a new unwrapped gift in the over 100 Toys for Tots boxes across Westchester. The other way to donate is by making an online contribution.
To search for a location, or to donate online, visit westchester-county-ny.toysfortots.org.
Steve Topilinsky said “it’s a tough time for many families in Westchester. We need your help and donations, especially for teens ages 12-18. We are working hard to get every request met with a toy but we need your help.”
A list of high needs toys can also be found at -/westchester-county-ny.toysfortots.org/.
Boxes will remain in place for your donation until Dec. 13, but donations can be made up until Dec. 22 online, or by dropping them off at St. Matthew’s Church in Hastings on Hudson. Topilinksy said that while they have a small group of dedicated volunteers, more volunteers are needed. Former County Legislator and Marine Jim Maisano holds a annual event to collect Toys for Tots. This year it will be held on Saturday December 16, from 11am-2pm at Patsy’s in New Rochelle.
“We can’t continue without community support. This year we have 40,000 children that are on our list, without help we won’t meet this goal! We are seeking reliable volunteers to help us pick up toys and process them to go out. We are working daily 9am to 5pm in Hastings on Hudson,” said Steve T.
God Bless Steve and Kelly for there work to help and serve others. Make a contribution today!
