For children in need, the holiday season can be a time of despair and discouragement. That’s why the Dorchester-based nonprofit Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) has set an ambitious goal to collect approximately 6,500 toys to serve at least 800 families this year. So far, however, ABCD has yet to receive a single toy donation this season.
ABCD toy drive organizer Bianny Suncar showed NBC10 Boston its remaining inventory from last year, which is not enough to meet this year’s needs.
ABCD is asking members of the Boston community to help by dropping off toy donations to its Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center, 110 Claybourne St., during regular business hours by Friday, Dec. 13. Toys requested by families include puzzles and sports equipment for children ages 10 to 12, educational games for toddlers, and dolls and toy cars for children ages 3 to 9.
With the need so great this year, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has tasked her office with significantly expanding its help this year. She is donating 1,800 toys starting Thursday, Dec. 12, and increasing toy collection sites from one to six.
“This year, people need help more than ever,” Sharon Scott-Chandler, president and chief executive of ABCD, said in a media statement. “Stagnant wages and soaring costs for food, rent, heat and other necessities have created severe hardship for many families. Holiday presents are often beyond their reach. Please help out during this season of giving.”
ABCD is a nonprofit human services organization helping nearly 100,000 Boston-area residents find “pathways out of poverty.” ABCD relies on volunteer support to provide essential programs and services focusing on child care, education, financial well-being, health, housing, and more to accomplish its work. Visit ABCD’s website for more information.
