Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens launched its annual Santa’s Toy Shop program to assist families in need during the holiday season. Four distribution events took place on December 10 and 11 in Brooklyn, and December 18 and 19 in Queens.
Santa’s Toy Shop aims to ensure parents can provide their children with Christmas gifts without diverting funds from essential expenses such as food and housing.
In Brooklyn, Santa’s Toy Shop welcomed 707 families, gathering toys for about 1,665 children. IN Queens, 843 families visited Santa’s Toy Shop and received toys for 1865 children. The four-day toy distribution event served 1546 families and 3605 children across Brooklyn and Queens.
The program responds to increased economic pressure on local families. Debbie Hampson, Senior Director of Community Outreach Services for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, noted a significant rise in families requesting assistance, including many seeking help for the first time.
The program features a shopping-style format where parents personally choose toys with guidance from volunteer assistants called “shopper elves.” This model promotes family dignity and ensures children receive age-appropriate presents tailored to their interests. In addition, families were given new children’s holiday pajamas and gently used winter clothes.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens organized donations at multiple parishes throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens, as well as an Amazon wish list, enabling efficient selection of dolls, trucks, books, puzzles, and other items suitable for various age groups.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers and donors that helped make Santa’s Toy Shop a success this year. Volunteers from the community and TD Bank assisted families in choosing gifts for their children. Donors, such as long time supporters Maria and Bill Sonner and Jeannine and Peter Daly, donated toys and more for Santa’s Toy Shop.
For more information, please visit: www.ccbq.org.