Over 2,000 toys were collected at the NBC, Telemundo Connecticut & Comcast's annual Toy Drive on Saturday at Westfarms.
NBC, Telemundo Connecticut and Comcast's Annual Toy Drive
Hundreds of happy givers donated toys to the toy drive.
The weather may not have been perfect, but that didn't stop the young and young at heart from setting out to make some Christmas wishes come true.
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"I just feel thankful that I can give back," said Max Mielerg, of West Hartford.
New, unwrapped toys that were collected were given to the Marine Toys for Tots Program. The toys will be delivered to less fortunate children this Christmas.
Toys for Tots has been around since 1947 and Marine Staff Sergeant Xavier Pacheco explained why the effort is so important.
"Every toy helps give a child hope this year. I know we’re going through tough times, but there are other people who have it much tougher and they might not have a Christmas at all," Pacheco said.
"The generosity of folks in the community to be able to help people they don’t even know I think is really inspiring," added Comcast VP of Sales and Marketing Brian Ferney.
Comcast, the parent company of NBC Connecticut, is a proud sponsor of the annual toy drive because they said it is more than just about toys.
"I think this is so special because the idea is that if you’re in a tough situation, other people care and that you’re not alone," Ferney said.
Over 50 students from East Farms School wanted to do just that. One by one, the students donated an amazing 400 gifts.
East Farms student Michael Defilippo raised 40 of those toys by sending a letter to every house on his neighborhood street asking to donate to the drive.
"I wanted to help everyone that was in need that didn't have as much stuff as most people do and I want them to feel special because they are special," Defilippo said.
If you didn't get a chance to come to the toy drive on Saturday, you can drop off your gifts at Westfarms by Macy's and Go Calendars. There are boxes there where you can place the gifts to help share the magic of the holiday season with a child in need.
