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Local nonprofit secures 6,000 toys in 3 weeks for holiday donations

'Twas three weeks before Christmas...

Action for Boston Community Development staffers organize toys for this year's drive. Lee Hollenbeck/FayFoto

By Rosemary Ford

December 20, 2021

‘Twas three weeks before Christmas and all through ABCD, several creatures were stirring, as worried as can be.

Folks had been generous, donating 400 toys, but the need was far greater, for all local girls and boys.

The call went out, for a bit more aid, and the community responded, spreading a joy that can’t be repaid.

ABCD, or Action for Boston Community Development, found itself in need of 6,000 toys for families celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, and Three Kings Day this year.

According to President and CEO John J. Drew, local families are struggling with the ongoing pandemic, inflation, and a challenging job market.

“Many parents had very limited resources for buying gifts for their children this year,” he said. “We knew we had to help them put smiles on their children’s faces after this difficult year, as the ABCD Toy Drive has done for more than 50 years.”

Media coverage generated by a call for more toys resulted in enough donations, according to Field Operations Director Josh Young.

“We are so grateful for the immediate and effective response from a warm-hearted public,” he said. “I can’t tell you what a difference it makes.”

Bianny Suncar, the director of ABCD’s Mattapan Family Service Center and the toy drive coordinator thanked all donors. She said toys would be distributed at ABCD neighborhood centers during the week of Dec. 20.