Hundreds of Greenwich Families “Shop” at Neighbor to Neighbor’s Holiday Toy Chest

Neighbor to Neighbor is hosted their second annual holiday toy chest on Friday and Saturday.

Neighbor to Neighbor invited 210 Greenwich families to come “shop” for their children for the holidays at no cost to them. Thanks to the generosity of many civic groups and businesses, Neighbor to Neighbor collected over 300 toys.

A child peruses the piles of toys at Neighbor to Neighbor’s toy chest. Dec 15, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

“We have such wonderful clients,” said Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer Sue Golden who ran the event. “During the holidays, their financial struggle is tough. They are so appreciative for this.”

Golden said although the toy chest event is new, it is already one of the organization’s most important events.

“This event defines Neighbor to Neighbor,” Golden said, adding that about 1,000 toys were received, and as of noon on Friday, 85 families were served, each selecting two gifts per child.

What differentiates the “toy chest” at Neighbor to Neighbor from other toy drives is that it is organized by Greenwich residents for Greenwich residents.

Golden said that while many of the hundreds of toys piled high in the Tomes Higgins house were for small children, older children will receive gift certificates for manicures or for Starbucks.

Despite the event being relatively new, Golden said the outpouring of support from the community was overwhelming.

Contributing businesses and organizations include Garden Catering, Round Hill Church,Greenwich Police Department, Sotheby’s, Houlihan Lawrence, Greenwich Association of Realtors, Weichert Realtors First Presbyterian Church in Old Greenwich, St Clements Church in Stamford, Greenwich Boat and Yacht Club, Riverside School, Pat A Cake Nursery, Christ Church Nursery School, Sound Beach Pediatrics, Frances Wu Nobay /Greenwich Girl Scouts Troop #50303, Whitby School and Dr, Lazar of Greenwich Eye Care.

Greenwich Academy, J Crew and Iona Prep also raised funds, which were used to purchase the items for older children.

Also, donors contributed to a crowdfunding project Neighbor to Neighbor listed with The Impact Vine, a crowdfunding platform for nonprofits started by the Community Fund of Darien. This platform allows 100% of funds raised to go directly to the nonprofits.

“We hit a record by having our project 85% funded within 24 hours of listing it,” said Neighbor to Neighbor director Nancy Coughlin.