Who? TEAM Toys 4 Kids is the largest holiday toy drive in the region serving over a thousand children in our region each year. TEAM is a nonprofit human services agency serving the Greater Valley and surrounding region. www.teaminc.org
What? Due to hardships of the pandemic and the growing need in our community, in 2021, TEAM Toys 4 Kids provided holiday gifts to 1,920 children with the help and support of 534 individual donors, volunteers, and local businesses. TEAM reached more children than ever this year, and it would not have been possible without the support of the entire community. Despite the continuing challenges we face from the COVID-19 pandemic, from the devastating health impacts, to the financial strain on workers and businesses, shipping delays and more, TEAM and our community supporters prevailed in order to bring joy and magic to children in our region. The 2021 TEAM Toys 4 Kids Magic Makers Committee was led by local volunteer leaders Carolyn Cutaneo and Carol Pendagast. Major business sponsors were United Illuminating, the Valley Community Foundation, and Tuttle Insurance Group.
Why? TEAM Toys 4 Kids helps ensure children and families experience the love, joy, and happiness during the holiday season amidst the economic and other challenges we continue to face. At this time of year, parents face difficult choices between providing food, paying for rent, diapers, utilities, and more, on top of giving gifts to their children. And there’s the stigma and anxiety among the kids less fortunate in school and childcare settings – in other words, the “haves” and the “have nots” being amplified by how benevolent the Holiday Season was for some kids but not for others… These memories for children can impact a child’s world experiences for years ahead and have an immeasurable emotional & social impact. What seems like a simple toy drive actually impacts children far beyond what we can imagine.
TEAM is proud to continue to Make Magic Happen for children each holiday season.
This is a press release from TEAM, Inc. in Derby.
