Annual toy drive begins
TROY, N.Y. » A longtime local toy drive is once again under way to benefit children in Rensselaer County.
The Rensselaer County Youth Division is currently seeking donations for its annual holiday toy drive.
This effort typically brings in more than 10,000 toys with the help of community members, businesses and organizations.
After going through the county, which partners with several area nonprofits, the toys are then distributed to local families in need all throughout Rensselaer County. This centralized system is to make sure that there is no duplication and that every kid gets a toy, according to Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino.
Among the places that people can donate new, unwrapped toys this year are DeMeo’s Discount Wine & Liquor at 501 Campbell Ave. in Troy, the adjacent barbershop The Palace, Troy Area Senior Service Center, Rensselaer Area Senior Service Center, Schodack Senior Center, the CRAB Club in South Troy, the Rensselaer County Office Building, the Rensselaer County Highway Department, Rensselaer County Department of Social Services administrative building, Rensselaer County Probation Department, Rensselaer County Courthouse and Rensselaer County Jail and Van Rensselaer Manor.
In addition to toy donations, the Rensselaer County Youth Division also fundraises to buy toys for all ages, including infants and adolescents.
Since this initiative began around 20 years ago, in response to requests from the public, the need for toys has grown each year and the toy drive has also grown to help meet that need, said former Rensselaer County youth outreach coordinator Jean Brooks.
While there are many causes to give to during the holiday season, what many donors like about this toy drive is that it stays local to Rensselaer County. “Our stuff stays here,” said Bob DeMeo of Bob DeMeo’s Discount Wine and Liquor store, a local business that brings in lots of toys each year. The store also takes monetary donations to purchase toys for the drive.
“A lot of children get overlooked unintentionally,” DeMeo said. “There’s nothing better than a smile on a child’s face.”
The 2017 toy drive in taking donations all throughout the holiday season, and even after the holidays. Those collected afterward are often donated to Rensselaer County families who are victims of house fires.
The CRAB Club is also having a buffet brunch to benefit the toy program from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 3, before the annual Victorian Stroll in downtown Troy.