Mayor Purzycki’s Annual Toy Drive Will Brighten The Holidays For Hundreds Of Wilmington’s Children

Press Release From the City of Wilmington:

December 4, 2020

December 18 is the deadline for families to register

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 worsening COVID-19 pandemic as 2020 comes to a close, holiday traditions will look much different this year – if they can be observed at all,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Nevertheless, we are determined to see that Wilmington’s children will have a bright holiday season, and so, 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 2019 we provided toys to more than 800 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 hardworking 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 this trying year is behind us and the coronavirus a distant memory, we will again be able to gather in a spirit of unity and peace to commemorate the holiday season as we always have.”

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 Friday, December 18. 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 18.

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 2019.
• Have children between the ages of Infant and 10-years-old.

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

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