Local Children Need Toys, Books, and Learning Games This Holiday and Every Year

By Marion Brunken

Alexandria, VA – Since 2014, VolALX has hosted the community toy drive to support Alexandria’s children and families. Toys will benefit the children through the Fund for Alexandria’s Holiday Sharing program, families of the Domestic Violence Program, and a few other organizations. Any leftover toys will be donated to numerous school service workers and organizations within Alexandria.

All toys will be donated, and we need YOUR help to reach our goal of serving over 350 families with 600+ children!

“The Fund for Alexandria’s Child is so grateful to partner with Volunteer Alexandria every year for our Community Toy Drive. Being able to make a difference for children and their families during the holiday season is a wonderful gift for everyone involved, and we love being a part of this special tradition.” Christine Levine, The Fund for Alexandria’s Child

Prices for food and day-to-day necessities are still high; many families experience hardship and need extra help for the holidays. With your help, we can serve them all. VolALX engages hundreds of people from businesses, congregations, schools, apartment buildings, scout groups, and other social clubs, as well as numerous individuals young and older who participate by setting up a toy collection bin, organizing holiday parties, donating money to help us put this all together and purchase materials and snacks for volunteers, getting friends and families involved, and volunteering.

VolALX believes that each child in our city should experience the delight of receiving and opening their very own holiday gifts. Our goal is to serve well over 600 children aged 0 – 10 years this year. The drive ends on December 14. Volunteers will then pick up the toys from participating parties and sort, count, and wrap items for each family on December 15 and 16.

Here are ways you can help:

• Collect toys. Whether you become a collection site for the public, for your office, or host a holiday party, register to be part of it at com/r/ToyVA.
• Donate money to make this all happen at org/toydrive.
• Donate NEW UNWRAPPED toys. We encourage you to shop locally. See a list of suggestions at org/toysuggestions and drop-off places near you at volunteeralexandria.org/toydrive.
• Volunteer. There are numerous opportunities for individuals and groups six years and older, at org/toydrive.

“We are thrilled to benefit from the toy drive. Toys will be distributed at our Children’s Holiday Party. We normally have over 100 families participating in this event, all Alexandria residents needing services. Without donations, many of these children wouldn’t receive anything for the holidays,” says Tania Brandt, Domestic Violence Program.

Toy suggestions for 8 to 10-year-old children

Science kits; arts and crafts; foot and soccer balls; flying orb ball; solar robot toys; remote and waterproof stunt cars; and Lego sets. Please note that we cannot accept any used gifts, guns (nerf guns, dart blasters), or any clothing for children two years or younger.

Please help us make these holidays brighter for all in our community. Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Holiday Activities for the entire family

Visit volunteeralexandria.org/holiday-activities to view a list of activities supporting the Alexandria Police Youth Camp, UNCUT Youth, The Campagna Center, Holiday Sharing and other organizations.

MARK your Calendar!

On Friday, December 8, Lost Boy Cider is hosting an auction to support the toy drive from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

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