Owners Of Coppola Customs Hold 3rd Annual 'Toys For Tots' Event

BRANFORD, CT — Wife and husband Abby and Tom Coppola are once again holding a Toys for Tots drive at their Branford auto customization shop Coppola Customs. This is the third annual event to help make a difference in the lives of families in need, Abby Coppola said.

As an official Toys for Tots Host and drop site, she said their mission is collect new, unwrapped toys to brighten Christmas morning for as many children as possible.

As they have done in previous years, the collection is also a family fun event.

"At our event and leading up to it, we collect donations for our Marine friends over at Toys for Tots," she said. Slated for Saturday Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their 11 Business Park Drive location, there will be some holiday fun for everyone.

"We'll have lots of really cool cars, music, a food truck, raffles, a big Christmas tree to place presents under and take pictures in front of, and a few fun guests for the kids," Abby said. "Considering the unfortunate event of these last two years and all the struggling families, we are really trying our best to have a big give back to Toys for Tots."

In 2020 and in 2019, both events were held in the rain, but, she said, "We still had a great turnout."

In 2019, they collected 361 gifts and in 2020, 891 gifts.

"One hundred percent of all gift and monetary donations will be picked up by a Toys for Tots Marine, she said.

In addition to the Dec. 11 event, there are two toy drop box locations; one at Willoughby's Coffee and Tea at 550 East Main St. and another at their Coppola Customs shop on Business Park Drive.