Toy Distribution 2008

December 1 marked the first day of the BRO Toy Distribution. Where did this snow come from? Snow may slow down the individual clients who are scheduled for pick up. But first on our list is the Gateway Wheeler State School for Severly the Severly Disabled. We gave out toys to 87 children with special needs. This year we tried to meet the requests from the wish list submitted by the teachers and staff at the school. We also provided toys for 125 children at Davis Comprehensive Health Care and toys for 100 at St. Louis Transitional Hope House.

Tuesday we were prepared to provided toys for over 360 children at the following agencies HDC Northeast, Intercommunity Housing, St. Louis Empowerment Center and the Southside Day Nursery.

Wednesday we geared up for about 300 children served by HDC Wellston, HDC Northeast, HDC Ssouthside Gateway Center and Grace Hill Neighborhood services.

Thursday brought in another batch of volunteers and 300 children served by HDC Northside Gateway, HDC Northeast, HDC Family Support Program and Youth and Family Center.

Finally Friday came, another round of volunteers and 250 plus clients from Little Angel Learning Center, St. Philippines House, Family Care of Carondelet and Barnes Hospital. Whew!

Retired teachers from the Northwest R-1 School District in House Springs, Missouri staffed Monday and Friday. It was a new experience for this retired group of friends. We hope they'll join us again next year.

One of our volunteers makes new "formals" for the "reconditioned" Barbies. Each child receives new and reconditioned ( gently used) toys, books, a game or puzzle and other goodies.

Volunteer wood workers make these very classy tool boxes for our little guys.

Soccer Balls and Wiffle ball/bats are an old standby.

Tons of new and gently used stuffed animals.

Three Donna's, all in one place on the same day. It was easy to remember names.

Our First Book Donation ( remember the post about the 3000 books,) packaged for the 7 - 10 year old boys and girls.

Aleeza Granote, (far right) Barnes Hospital, picks up bags of goodies for some of her clients.

Prior to our week long toy distribution we packed and stored toys at a community church for the following agencies.

Neighborhood Houses 900

Family Court 250

Community Helping Ministries 145

West Presbyterian Church 100

Urban League 110

We will also be providing 50 -75 toys for the Youth and Family Center's Winterwonderland Festival.

Hasbro Gifts of Play Grant

A special Thank You to Hasbro and their Gifts of Play grant, a part of their community relations division. The BRO received 91 assorted toys, as shown in the photos in this blog post. The toys are in the process of being sent out into the St. Louis Community.

Here is an excerpt from a thank you note received from SSDN ( South Side Day Nursery). I love how they describe "play".

"As play is the "work of children", their method for exploring and learning about the world, it is wonderful to be able to provide children with new toys during the holidays. These gifts are truly a dose of positive self-worth for low-income children who may otherwise have to settle for hand me downs.....In effect your gifts will supplement Learning Center educational instruction by developing child creativity during hours of imaginative play at home"

I packed one of these Jeng games along with some other goodies, for a 7 year old living in a homeless shelter, I'm thinking his 4 year old brother will enjoy playing with it, too.

And some of these Yahtzee games will show up at the Winterwonderland Festival given by the 22nd Circuit Cout of St. Louis for their foster families.

These funky little Mr. Potato Head plushies will find their way into newborn care kits. Each will contain, a plush toy, a sampler pack of baby washes, lotions, shampoos, a rattle or other infant toy, and a receiving blanket.

The 4 & 5 year olds will enjoy these cool Transformers

Infants and toddlers will learn about shapes and sorting with this cheery item,

What little girl doesn't like my Little Pony, and this set has two ponies!

Thanks Hasbro for helping us to provide St. Louis area families in need with a happier, brighter Christmas and Holidays.