Developer Plays Santa Claus To Timothy's Toy Box

On Monday, thieves stole about 100 toys, worth $1,800 from Timothy’s Toy Box, a nonprofit organization based in Framingham.

On Black Friday, developers Kevin and Brandon Giblin donated a $2,500 check to Timothy’s Toy Box founders Sharon and Timothy Gilbert on the steps of the Memorial Building.

“We just wanted to help,” said Kevin Giblin, who owns Brendon Properties in Southborough.

Framingham Selectman Jason Smith connected the father and son developers with Timothy’s Toy Box’s mother and son.

Smith said when he read about the theft on the Patch he knew the community would help Sharon and Tim, who have given back so much to Framingham

“It is wonderful what they do for others,” said Brandon Giblin.

“We are truly grateful for the donation, and the support since the theft,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert started the nonprofit eight years ago with her son Timothy, who is now a sixth grade student at Walsh Middle School.

“I was really sad,” said Tim about the theft.

The organization started when he was just 3 years old. Sharon started Timothy’s Toy Box to show her son how to give back to others.

Tim works to sort and select the toys for those in need.

“I don’t understand why anyone would take the toys,” he said.

Over the years, the mother and son have collected and delivered more than 7,000 new toys to local homeless shelters, churches, hospitals, and schools, as well as many other local families in need.

This year, they were hoping to help 300 families in need, but with all the media exposure on the theft, the list of needy families is growing.

“We are up to about 350 families who have requested help now,” said Gilbert.

On Monday, someone took all the toys set out for 20 families. The gifts are typically stored in a box in the driveway so families are able to pick them up anonymously. Gilbert said families looked for their name and took their bag. It was a honor system that worked for years, she said.

Since the theft, online donation to the organization have increased and scores of toys have been dropped off, said Gilbert.

Timothy’s Toy Box is accepting donations on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., too.

The Framingham Police Association donated $500 to replace the stolen toys.

To help with security for the organization, Door to Door storage donated a pod for the toys to be stored in and another donor was generous to help with security for the toys and the organization, said Gilbert.

Gilbert said she will wait to see what toys arrive on Sunday, and then use the donation by Brendon properties to purchase the rest of the toys on the wish list of children in need.

“It is heartwarming to see the support since the theft,” she added.