Stamford Kicks-Off Toys For Tots Drive

Stamford CT

29 November, 2021

7:55 PM

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STAMFORD, CT — It's the season of giving, and once again, Stamford is doing its part to bring joy to scores of young children through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots toy drive this December. On Monday at the Stamford Government Center, Mayor David Martin, in one of his final acts as the city's chief elected official, proclaimed December 2021 as Toys For Tots Month. Martin thanked several veterans groups in Stamford, as well as volunteers Sgt. Jacob Arevalo, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Peloquin, Connie DeGruttola, Tom Finn Jr., Chris Munger and George Ducanic for all the work they do during this time of year. "Every child deserves a little Christmas, and we urge our residents to thank all of the caring people who make this program a huge success, contributing to a happy and memorable Christmas season for hundreds of needy children in the community," Martin said. Martin said he's enjoyed seeing the reaction of not only the children receiving toys, but their parents who get to watch their children have the same kind of Christmas as everyone else. In 1947, Maj. Bill Hendricks, with support of members of his Los Angeles Marine Corps Reserve Unit, collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The program was such a success that in 1948, the Marine Corps adopted it and expanded across the country as the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program. In the years since, about 548,000,000 toys have been collected and distributed. There will be about 150 drop boxes for toys located in Stamford, including one at the Government Center at 888 Washington Blvd.; donations can also be made online. Headquarters for the city's program will be located at 1131 High Ridge Road, according to local campaign coordinator Chris Munger. Mayor-elect Caroline Simmons was in attendance during Monday's proclamation reading by Martin. She'll be sworn-in as Stamford's next mayor on Dec. 1. Simmons thanked the veterans who had gathered at the Government Center for their service and for their volunteerism during the toy drive. "It's a wonderful thing for our city. I want to thank all of the veterans, particularly Chris and George, for their leadership on this initiative to give back to kids in need, especially during the holiday season and especially in this pandemic, when so many people are struggling," Simmons said. "It's just a wonderful example of our community coming together to give back to kids in need. We're lucky to have this program here in Stamford, and all the veterans for their support for this." Ducanic, a Korean War veteran, has been involved with Toys For Tots in Stamford for 29 years. During his tenure as the local coordinating officer for the area, he's seen the impact of the program on many children and their families. "It means a lot to the families, especially now with the pandemic here and some people don't have jobs. If it wasn't for Toys For Tots, they wouldn't have a Christmas at all," Ducanic said. Toys are especially needed for boys and girls ages 6-9 and 10-12, Ducanic said. Because of the name of the program, many people assume toys are only needed for the youngest age group of 3-5. Ducanic said that with supply chain shortages and so many issues with shipping, it might be harder this year to come up with donations. "We appreciate the communities of Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan and Darien who are doing their best to get the toys out to the kids this year," he said. According to the Toys For Tots website, Stamford distributed 23,695 toys and supported 18,000 children in the area in 2020. For more information on how and where to donate or volunteer, click here.