Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT ALL THE DIFFERENCE. OUR SERA CONGI WITH A STORY THAT’S NEW ON 5. SERA: ONE OF SANTA’S WORKSHOPS IS RIGHT IN DORCHESTER. STACKS OF TOYS ARE SORTED AND DESTINED FOR KIDS ALL OVER BOSTON. >> EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO REACH , 7000 CHILDREN, IF NOT MORE. SERA THIS SANTA’S HELPER, MONEE NEAL, IS WITH THE ABCD ORGANIZATION, WHICH IS COLLECTING DONATED TOYS TO DISTRIBUTE TO FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM. >> THERE ARE SOME FAMILIES THAT CHOOSE, THEY HAVE TO HAVE THAT CHOICE BETWEEN PAYING THEIR RENT, OR PAYING THEIR HEATING BILL AND BUYING A GIFT FOR THEIR KI SERA: BUT THIS YEAR THE NEED FOR , DONATIONS IS GROWING DIRE. WITH 7000 FAMILIES, BUT ONLY ABOUT 1000 DONATED TOYS SO FAR, . >> GROWING UP I WAS ONE OF THOSE , KIDS THAT NEEDED SUPPORT. SERA: NEAL SAYS THIS DRIVE IS CLOSE TO HER HEART, MAKING SURE SANTA REACHES EVERY CHILD. >> IT’S JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PAYING YOUR LIGHT BILL, BECAUSE EVERY KID WANTS TO KNOW THAT SANTA CAME TO THEM, AND DIDN’T MISS THEM THIS YEAR. SERA: IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT TOYS. ABCD IS ALSO LOOKING FOR HELP WITH FOOD CLOTHING AND FUEL -- WITH FOOD, CLOTHING AND FUEL ASSISTANCE. BUT ULTIMATELY IT’S THE TOYS THAT WILL MAKE FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> THIS WAY THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY SANTA DID COME, EVEN IF IT’S NOT THE BIGGEST TOY OR THE TOY THEY WERE LOOKING FOR, THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO PUT UNDER THEIR TREE. MARIA: AND IF YOU WANT TO HELP ABCD, GO TO OUR MOBILE APP OR WEB SITE CLICK ON THE STORY AND YOU’LL FIND A LINK WITH THE INFORMATION

Advertisement Holiday help needed: 7,000 requests and just 1,000 donated toys Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Action for Boston Community Development is reaching out to families, organizations and companies who want to put smiles on children’s faces across Boston neighborhoods and surrounding towns this holiday season. ABCD has received more than 7,000 requests for gifts for children in need and has just 1,000 toys on hand or promised by generous individuals and companies. Almost 28,000 Boston children are living in poverty -- that’s 26 percent of all children in Boston who live in households below the poverty level of $25,100 in annual income for a family of four, ABCD said."Having gifts for their children in the holiday season is about more than the actual presents," said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew. "It’s about hope for the future. When parents see their kids happy in this season, it gives them hope for the year ahead. People are struggling to pay rent, heat their homes, put food on the table. There’s often no extra dollars for holiday shopping. ABCD tries to fill the gap, but we need your help!”"Growing up, I was one of those kids that needed support," said Monee Neal, who is a member of the ABCD Toy Drive team. "It's just as important as paying your light bill, because every kid wants to know that Santa came to them and didn't miss them this year."Donations can be mailed to ABCD WINTER FUND 2018, Action for Boston Community Development, 178 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111.ABCD is also seeking donations to the Emergency Heating Assistance Fund and the Clothing/Food Drive. Click here for more information.