Posted on December 14, 2018
HARTFORD – Throughout Eastern Connecticut, many parents struggle to afford the day-to-day expenses of raising a family on limited means. Thanks to programs like Tommy Toy Fund, local donations, and volunteers like State Representative Anne Dauphinais (R-Killingly), many of these children will now receive a Christmas that wasn’t otherwise possible.
“For so many of us the Christmas season is such a magical time of the year, but then there are some that it’s not so magical for. For the last several years I have been volunteering with the Tommy Toy Fund and it’s a real pleasure to be a part of something that adds a little bit of magic to those that wouldn’t have any,” said Rep. Dauphinais.
The Tommy Toy Fund uses a vacant building located in the Killingly Commons in order to facilitate the donations collected through various ‘stuff a cruiser’ events held throughout the 44th District and other Eastern Connecticut locations. Toys are then sorted and organized based off of age and gender with lists being filled by various day and weekend volunteers.
All pertinent information for the children such as; name, age, and gender of children is logged to ensure everyone receives the same amount of age appropriate toys. The items are then sorted and organized based off of age and gender with lists being filled by various day and weekend volunteers.
Due to the high volume of donations, Tommy Toy Fund has expanded to include a pick-up raffle where families can enter their names for a chance to win others larger toys and kids bikes.
Families who want to participate in the program must sign up through a registration application posted in the Norwich Bulletin in early November.
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