Milford's MyFM 101.3 Collects $25K In Toys For Local Kids

MILFORD, MA — A local radio station's second annual holiday drive netted more than $25,000 in donations over the weekend. MyFM 101.3 set up outside the Bellingham Walmart Friday in a bid to stuff an entire school bus with toys for local kids.

Here's more from a radio station news release:

On Dec. 2, local radio station MyFM 101.3 set up camp outside of Walmart in Bellingham and began a 50-hour residency in hopes to fulfill their goal of collecting enough toys to fill a school bus.

MyFM’s 6th annual toy drive once again partnered the radio station with Blackstone Valley-based Toys for Kids and Teens to assist local families in need this holiday season.

“Each year our efforts get bigger and bigger as the demand for assistance, unfortunately, increases,” MyFM Operations Manager and Morning Show Host Ray Auger said. “Through the generosity of our local listening area, what we like to call 'The Heart of it All,' we are proud to announce that we had our most successful collection to date!”

The MyFM staff dedicated their weekend assisting with the drive. Auger even went as far as camping out overnight to watch over the bus full of toys.

Vendetti Bus Company once again provided the bus, which is used to store the toys collected throughout the drive. The bus even comes with its own mascot, Jingles the Elf, a.k.a. Milford’s favorite, festive bus driver Moe Hutchins.

In addition to the outpouring of assistance from the local community stopping by to donate toys, local businesses and individuals assisted with $250 or more cash donations for shopping sprees that sent the MyFM staff into Walmart to do the shopping for them. Shopping Sprees Sponsorships were filmed and posted on MyFM’s Facebook page as a thank-you. Over $17,000 was raised which allowed for purchases of toys as well as TV’s, bicycles, electronics, sporting goods and other items for the teens.

On that Sunday, MyFM celebrated their successful toy drive by showcasing the bus full of toys through the Welcome Santa Parade in Milford and then delivering them to the Toys for Kids and Teens distribution center at the old Northbridge Elementary School.

MyFM would like to thank all who donated and participated in another successful community event that is sure to bring joy and happiness to many local families this holiday season In The Heart of it All.