Winter holidays are approaching fast, and residents have a chance to make them brighter for local kids by donating toys. One of local holiday toy drives is being hosted by the Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District). There are two ways to donate:

First, toys can be purchased online from one of these toy registries: https://bit.ly/3rdDriveTarget or https://bit.ly/3rdDriveAmazon.

New, unwrapped toys can also be dropped off at the 3rd District Office at 606 S. 52nd Street on Mondays-Thursdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Donations are accepted until Dec. 14. Toy giveaway will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 12-3 p.m.

See the flyer for more details.

Stay tuned for information on more holiday drives in West Philly.

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There are several opportunities to support local families and youth during this holiday season. Local non-profit organizations working with families as well as West Philly-elected officials are currently holding holiday gift and toy drives:

• Third District Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive at her office at 1400 JFK Boulevard, Room 586. You can drop off donations there through Thursday, Dec. 15 or purchase toys online – browse 3rd District wish lists on Target and Amazon.

• People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and Youth Service, Inc., are collecting gift cards for local families and youth experiencing homelessness:

“Providing gift cards offers people experiencing homelessness who are about to move to permanent housing an opportunity to select housewares, cleaning products, toiletries, self-care products, and decor items that really make a house a home. For other families and youth, selecting their own clothing, shoes, outerwear to increase the confidence of children going to school, youth with no family support, and parents going on a job interview or beginning employment. Gift cards to local fast-food restaurants and stores can bring cheer and offer teens and parents the opportunity to participate in social activities with their peers.” Continue Reading

The Office of City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive for youth in the Third District, which encompasses West and Southwest Philadelphia. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are accepted through Friday, Dec. 17 at City Hall, Room 586 (1400 JFK Blvd.). Check out the flier below with more information.

Donations of toys and other items are also welcome at various West Philly-based non-profit organizations working with families and youth, such as Achievability, People’s Emergency Center, and Families Forward.

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The holidays are approaching fast and a lot of charitable organizations are stepping up their efforts to help those in need. This year has been especially hard for many families and children already at risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the holiday drives going on in West Philly this year.

Photo courtesy of ACHIEVEability

ACHIEVEability’s Children’s Holiday Gift Drive

“This year has been tough for all of us, especially West Philadelphian children. Virtual learning and quarantine have impacted these kids in so many ways… This holiday season help bring joy to a child in need by donating a special gift.”

Sign up to provide holiday gifts for those in need by December 6 by emailing Matt at mlafronz@achieve-ability.org. Indicate how many children you would like to sponsor. After that you will receive a link to an Amazon wish list for each child you are sponsoring. Purchase a gift(s) totaling up to $50 for each child you sponsor, and wrap and label the gift(s). Make arrangements to deliver all items to ACHIEVEability at 21 S. 61st St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 by December 13. If you ship the items directly to ACHIEVEability from Amazon, please include a gift note with your package, including your name and contact information.  Continue Reading

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This holiday season, some West Philly businesses and organizations are holding drives to support neighbors in need. Earlier this month, we announced the annual Holiday Basket Drive organized by Cedar Park neighbors. You can still donate or volunteer for this event. Please go here for more information.

On Tuesday, Dec. 18, the Nesting House’s West Philly shop, located at 45th and Baltimore, is hosting a holiday toy drive for kids in a local Women Against Abuse shelter. Please bring an unwrapped toy or book to the store and enjoy a holiday music concert and play group. The event begins at 4 p.m. (see the flier for more information).  Continue Reading

We’re continuing to post information on how to help those in need during the holidays. Several holiday drives are currently underway, including the Cedar Park Holiday Food Drive, which we wrote about last week.

There are more holiday drives going on in the area:

Socks for Homeless, Seniors, Students

State Rep. James Roebuck and community partners are collecting socks for seniors, homeless people and students in their annual “People for People” sock drive. New socks are being accepted through Dec. 16 at Roebuck’s office, 4712 Baltimore Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and at the Squirrel Hill Sub-Police Station, 4619 Chester Ave., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. If you have questions, please call Roebuck’s office at 215.724.2227.  Continue Reading