New Toys for Tots Westchester leaders say they banded together to save Christmas
On Tuesday, the new leaders gathered at Guapo restaurant in Yonkers to officially mark the return of Toys for Tots Westchester.
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The new leaders of Toys for Tots Westchester say they had to band together to save Christmas this year.
Volunteer Patricia Laforey says she was worried that the collection for Toys for Tots Westchester wasn't going to happen this year.
"The previous coordinators did retire abruptly. People were just worried because the announcement was made that there would be no Westchester Toys for Tots, so I couldn't let that happen," Laforey says.
The former coordinator says he retired for personal reasons.
So, Laforey says she made a few calls and quickly put together a new leadership team to keep the holiday tradition alive.
"Gratefully, Putnam stepped up. The police department, political [leaders]," Laforey says.
On Tuesday, the new leaders gathered at Guapo restaurant in Yonkers to officially mark the return of Toys for Tots Westchester.
"We are, unfortunately, worried about the toys coming in, so we decided to do this to reannounce that Westchester Toys for Tots is alive, kicking and well with a new team," Laforey says.
Those who distribute the toys, like Ivan Smith from Westhab, call it a Christmas miracle that a new team came together.
"It would be a big letdown because a lot of the toys that our kids receive come from Toys for Tots," Smith says.
Luther V. Garrison Masonic Foundation board member Harlod McKoy Jr. says the new team is critical because he predicts the need for toys will be even greater this year.
"Financially, everyone is struggling, and prices are going up on everything--- not just gas and just eggs," McKoy Jr. says.
The event also served as the kickoff to this year's toy drive.
Organizers say they have a goal of collecting 100,000 toys this holiday season.
To learn how you can get involved, click here.
