Dec 13, 2009 12:06 pm US/Eastern
Toy Donations Low At Some Local Charities
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The tough economy is threatening to leave thousands of local children without gifts this holiday season. Boston area charities are struggling to fulfill the wishes of many low income families and disadvantaged children.
At the Home for Little Wanderers "Toy Room" in Jamaica Plain, toy and clothing donations are trickling in. Walls that should be stacked high with toys just two weeks before Christmas, sit bare.
"We serve over 10,000 children and families every year," said Heather MacFarlane, Public Relations Manager for the Home for Little Wanderers. "As part of our gift drive we try to fulfill 3,600 wishes."
So far, only half of those wishes have been matched with gifts. Gifts from donors like David Ectow.
"For the last 4 or 5 years we felt it was important to give to kids and make them have a little bit better of a Christmas," he said. "It gives us a great feeling. I think we're doing the right thing."
Those gifts bring a smile for one day, but there is a longer-term reality for Little Wanderers.
"I don't want everybody to expect that the kids always are going to be happy just because it's Christmas," said Little Wanderers worker Erica Payne. "There is still that empty hole of not having a family."
Like many charitable organizations at this time of year,
you can go online and help fulfill an individual child's wish. It's one wish list that Santa may not see. Two weeks before Christmas and more than 240 children have no pledges to match their wish.
So if you doing a little shopping this busy weekend, there are plenty of local charities hoping there is room for one more gift on your list. Toy donations are tax deductible if you get a verified receipt for your donation, with the cash value listed on it.
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