City Of Wilmington: Mayor Purzycki's Annual Toy Drive Will Brighten The Holidays For Hundreds Of Wilmington's Children

Press release from the City of Wilmington:

12/01/2021 4:00 PM

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Director of Constituent Services Jennifer Prado are pleased to announce the launch of the Mayor’s Annual Toy Drive, which each year aims to brighten the holidays for hundreds of children in Wilmington by distributing new toys to families across our City. Wilmington works in partnership with 20 nonprofit agencies to identify families in need.

“Unfortunately, due to the continuing pandemic, holiday traditions still aren’t back to where they were before COVID hit,” said Mayor Purzycki, “though if everyone continues to get vaccinated and follow other CDC guidelines, we will all be in a much better place than we were just one short year ago. All the same, we remain determined that Wilmington’s children will have a happy and festive holiday season. I thank our dedicated nonprofit partner agencies as well as Store Manager Andrew Rosko and his staff at Walmart Store No.2555 in New Castle for making this year’s toy drive possible.”

“In 2020 we provided toys to more than 1,200 children across our City,” the Mayor continued, “and we hope to match – if not exceed – that number this year. I extend a special thank you to Jen and her dedicated team in Constituent Services for organizing this event each year and making it the huge success it has become. It is my sincere hope that, once the coronavirus is safely behind us, we will once again be able to commemorate the holiday season as we always have, in a spirit of unity and peace.”

Constituent Services Director Prado said due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, families wishing to receive toys this year must send an email with the necessary information to holidaytoydrive@wilmingtonde.gov. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, December 15. Anyone wishing to donate toys to this year’s drive may do so by delivering a new, unopened and unwrapped toy (no electronics) to the lobby of the Louis L. Redding City County Building, 800 North French Street, by December 15.

To be eligible for this program you must: 

• Be a resident of the City of Wilmington.
• Show a government-issued photo ID and current utility bill, lease agreement, or other residential identifying information IF your address is different from your ID.
• Provide a copy of a Birth Certificate, Court Ordered Guardianship, or other official documentation that proves you are the parent or legal guardian of the child(ren). 
• Not have received toys from the City of Wilmington Toy Drive in 2020.
• Have children between the ages of Infant and 10-years-old.

Mayor Purzycki kicks off the Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive 2019.

COMMUNITY AND MEDIA INQUIRIES: 

John Rago
Deputy Chief of Staff
City of Wilmington, Office of the Mayor
Mobile: (302) 420-7928
Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov

This press release was produced by the City of Wilmington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.