The 2016 Valley Toys 4 Kids Campaign is underway and TEAM, Inc. is hoping to provide over 1,300 needy Valley children with something special under their Christmas tree this year. This campaign collects new, unwrapped toys for the under-served children in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
More than 80 TEAM volunteers celebrated the spirit of caring and giving at the annual Toys 4 Kids kickoff breakfast hosted by Emmett O’Brien Technical School Culinary Department. Breakfast was prepared and served by the Senior Class Culinary Students (see photo above).
The annual Toys for tots program provides thousands of Christmas toys for children from low income families across the Valley – children who otherwise might “go without” during the holidays.
“Many of our children suffer the effects of poverty every day, continuously going without, knowing that luxuries like new toys are simply not available to them. When families are struggling, they have to make decisions during this time of year between paying for heat and rent or buying the children Christmas toys. The Toys 4 Kids toy drive ensures that every child can have a good Christmas,” says Diane Stroman, TEAM’s Executive Vice President.
Last year due to the generosity of the community, TEAM provided 1,200 children with toys to place under their Christmas trees.
Donations of new unwrapped toys to Toys4Kids can be dropped off at TEAM, Inc. headquarters, 30 Elizabeth Street in Derby, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and various drop-off sites throughout the Valley. The list of drop off sites can be found on TEAM’s website – www.teaminc.org.
A list of drop off sites is also embedded below:
Toys4Kids Drop Off Sites 2016 by The Valley Indy on Scribd
Financial donations are accepted and should be sent to TEAM, Inc., Valley Toys 4 Kids Campaign, 30 Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT. 06418.
“Christmas is a difficult time of year for the families we serve due to the expense and expectations of the season states David Morgan, TEAM President/CEO. “Parents surviving on low incomes are often overwhelmed trying to fit the expense of gifts into an already stretched budget. Toys 4 Kids assists parents or guardians in providing presents to their children during tough economic times. Our message is that Christmas should be fun and not just about survival. Contributions to TEAM’s Toys 4 Kids Toy Drive help our families provide a festive holiday for their children.”
Applications for the program are currently being accepted weekdays from 9am to 4pm until December 15th at TEAM, Inc.’s headquarters located at 30 Elizabeth Street in Derby.
Parents/Guardians who apply for the program must meet low income eligibility requirements and provide identification and proof of residence for themselves and a birth certificate or social security card for their children.
For additional information on donations, volunteering or the application process, contact Diane Stroman at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 203 – 736-5420 ext. 234.
TEAM Inc. is a private, 501c (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to strengthen our community by educating, supporting and empowering individuals and families. TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.
