Toy Kingdom Helps with MCPD Autism Outreach Holiday Party

Rockville Town Square is proud to announce that Toy Kingdom recently marked its fourth year participating in the holiday party sponsored by the Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD/Alzheimer's Outreach program.

More than 40 kids with autism and their siblings celebrated the holidays on Dec. 19 thanks to a partnership between Rockville Town Square’s Toy Kingdom, local attorney John Malouf and the Montgomery County Police Autism/IDD/Alzheimer's Outreach program.

The partnership provides gifts and a holiday party for children with Autism identified by the MCPD special operations program. Toy Kingdom, an independently-owned specialty toy store in Rockville, donated toys for the event and helped officers select, organize and wrap them.

“Because we are a specialty toy store we are able to select the best toys for kids with autism meeting their sensory needs,” said Paula Aulestia, whose family owns Toy Kingdom. Aulestia has been involved with the MCPS autism program for nearly 10 years and said her family took on this giving project because of her involvement with the autistic community.

Malouf donated about $250 for Monday’s event.

“If you make money you give back to improve other people’s lives,” Malouf said. Malouf launched his own nonprofit which provides about 2,000 kids each year with gifts at the holidays.

Kids who attended the party at the Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters were treated to pizza and cookies while entertainment included a balloon twister and a musician.

“Toy Kingdom has been such a great resource and a wonderful partner for us for this program and Mr. Malouf’s generosity has enabled us to engage with the members of our Austism IDD community and encourage a trusting relationship between those children and our officers. It’s really great to see these children interact with our officers in a positive way,” said Officer Laurie Reyes, MCPD special operations division.

Toy Kingdom, a family owned business, has been serving the specialty toy needs of the community at Rockville Town Square for more than a decade. Owner Carlos Aulestia has 30 years experience in the toy industry.

“Toy Kingdom’s participation in this holiday event is an example of the important role small, independently-owned businesses play in the fabric of our community,” said Deirdre M. Johnson, vice president of asset management at Federal Realty.