In just a few weeks, a local group of teens managed to collect more than 250 toys for a toy drive they conceived and carried out.
“It’s so fun to watch kids plan and get excited about doing good and doing events for kids in their community,” said Youth & Recreation Program Coordinator Sarah Boyle.
So many toys were collected, Boyle said, that the Belmont Recreation Teen committee arranged for an early delivery. Toys were donated to The Home for Little Wanderers in Roslindale, an organization chosen by the committee that provides counseling and therapeutic services for low-income and at-risk children and families.
“It’s been a truly impressive charitable effort led entirely by our youth, with support from the Recreation Department,” Community Services Director Brandon Fitts said in a statement.
For those still interested in donating, toys will be collected at the Beech Street Center through Saturday, Dec. 20, coinciding with a free gift-wrapping event hosted by the Belmont Recreation Teen Committee. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can bring items to be wrapped by volunteers and pick them up the same day or on Monday. Gifts are limited to 10 per person and must be no larger than 12-by-12 inches.
According to Boyle, the Belmont Recreation Teen Committee—which is made up of sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders—is divided into three subcommittees: programming, marketing, and volunteer/service. In October, the teens decided they wanted to do a toy drive similar to the one they hosted last holiday season.
Graham Roberts, 13, said the idea for a toy drive grew from the success of last year’s gift wrapping event.
“We had huge success last year … so we thought we wanted to donate to people in need,” said Roberts, the volunteer committee lead. “So far, we’ve reached over 250 toys. We’re really hoping to reach 300.”
Graham and Boyle estimated that between 100 and 200 gifts were wrapped by teen volunteers last year.
This year’s toy drive kicked off near the end of November at an “after-hours” event at the Beech Street Center. Roughly twice a month, teens are welcomed to the Beech Street Center for a seasonally themed movie and a variety of activities, such as pickleball, pool, and pingpong.
At that particular “after hours,” there was a raffle, and teens who brought in new, unwrapped toys received 10 free raffle tickets in exchange. Some of the prizes included a ride in a police cruiser to school, gift cards and a basket of items donated by Belmont Center businesses.
“I am very impressed,” Graham said. “We were only hoping to get around 100 gifts because we expected most people to want most of their gifts wrapped. We’re very happy with the turnout and already thinking about doing it again next year.”
In addition to the toy drive and gift wrapping event, the Teen Committee has committed to donating 50% of all proceeds from the next few “after-hours” events to Packing with Purpose, a local teen initiative that buys hygiene products for homeless shelters in Massachusetts.
