FROM THE NEWSROOM: When the Dayville site of the Norwich Bulletins Tommy Toy Fund opened its doors Wednesday morning – kicking off the two day distribution of toys for kids in need this holiday season – the line of excited parents and children wrapped around the side of the building. About 1,200 local kids are this year expected to benefit from the annual Christmas toy distribution, heavily supported by the State Police and community, including local business and civic groups. Arielle Stroitch is one of many volunteers from the local business community who this year joined the Tommy Toy Funds effort. She and a group from the Lowes Distribution center in Plainfield helped families navigate the toys, books and winter clothing, with Stroitch calling it a “valuable and enriching experience.” She stood by a table full of carefully displayed knitted hats, gloves and mittens. “A lot of people have been saying this is going to be their first hat, their first set of gloves,” she said, of some preschool aged children that came through and expressed their excitement that they would have the same things they see other children with at school. “Its one of these things where, these kids who may not have gotten to experience this before, are now experiencing a real Christmas and having things that they just need. Winter hats, thats just something that they need – its not a luxury, its a necessity and its nice that we can provide that to people in the community.” Organizer Mary Jane Burke says that – while the effort to provide children in need with toys during the holidays has grown tremendously since that Christmas 40 years ago that when a little girl wrote to the Norwich Bulletin worrying about her brother who wouldnt have a present under the tree – the gut feeling that drives the community to give remains the same. Its a steady outpouring from residents, businesses, and local law enforcement who say no child should go without. Tammy Bradley, who now runs the local chapter of the Tommy Toy Fund following the passing of organizer Don Bond, says the charitable endeavor has changed her familys life, at the same time it changes the lives of children in the community. Tune in for the full report.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:21:35 +0000
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