On December 18 the African American United Fund will distribute toys collected during our 12th Annual Toy Drive in the Mantua section of Philadelphia. Children participating in programs at Belmont Charter School will receive toys this year.
With the increase in prices for consumer goods, utilities and food, this year will be particularly hard for poor, working families to afford basic necessities let alone holiday gifts for their children. New unwrapped toys for children aged 0-12 are currently being collected at our main office at 2227 N. Broad Street.
Cherron Perry-Thomas, Board Chair, African American United Fund says, “This is our 12th year providing toys to low income families either by hosting our own Toy Drive or collaborating with other agencies. We’ve received numerous requests for toys over the years. This year we anticipate the requests will be overwhelming due to the economic downturn. Obviously, our supporters will work hard to ensure each child receives a significant gift, but this year we’re reaching out to the broader community to help as well as provide a happy holiday experience to several adults at a community shelter”
For the second year, the toy drive is being supported by Jim Kernaghan- Former Candidate State Representative District 195 - who secured the help of the Marines' "Toys for Tots" program and his rugby club, Schuylkill River Rugby Club in Memory of Jason Siddell to provide toys and donations from individual donors.
Each year demand for toys exceeds goals set by the African American United Fund and generous donors provide toys to help meet requests received often days before the distribution. Donations for the event can be dropped off at the African American United Fund’s headquarters at 2227 N. Broad Street between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed to help sort and distribute toys on December 18 and December 19 during the day. Please call 215.236.2100 to volunteer or to arrange to drop off toys.
