Join His Toy Store in bringing hope to our neighbors this Christmas
Strings of twinkling white lights and gold garland. Red and green bows. Tricycles and Ninja Turtles and Barbie dolls. Sparkling cider and warm coffee. Smiling faces and Santa hats.
This is just some of what our neighbors find when they come to His Toy Store, Hope for New York’s annual Christmas outreach for families in need across our city.
Here’s how it works: This year, we’re working with our affiliate and church partners to host 11 pop-up stores in strategic neighborhoods across the city on December 3 and 10. At these stores, parents can shop for new toys — think action figures, dolls, jewelry and crafts, cars, and trucks — at no cost!
“The place was beautifully decorated and I heard from many parents that it truly looked like a store,” said Tatiana, a staff member at Operation Exodus, which serves families in Washington Heights. “They loved the toy selection and felt very blessed. The first parents were a bit anxious to go to the store on their own and getting lost. They complimented the great service. Parents also noted how this year you all went out with the snacks. A few of them said to me: ‘Is this really for us?’ I kept telling them that it was for them.”
Hope for New York started His Toy Store in 1996 — meaning this year marks 20 years of bringing hope to families across the city through this ministry! Last year, we were able to distribute 2,606 toys to 855 families, and this year we hope to do even more!
Parents who participate in His Toy Store include the working poor in low-income neighborhoods, formerly incarcerated individuals reconnecting with their families, and moms and dads in residential recovery programs. For many of them, His Toy Store is the only opportunity they have to provide gifts for their children.
One shopper told us that His Toy Store is how her family marks the Christmas season. “We may not have the money or have very little economic resources,” she said,” but God is big and He does wonderful things through his people everyday.”
And that’s just it — His Toy Store is more than a one-time outreach. Our hope is that parents connect with our partners for year-round support and spiritual community.
“As always, words could not express the gratitude and ‘favor’ of God you have shown through the years to the children at our residence,” one staff member at a family shelter in Brooklyn said. “There is nothing more memorable than seeing a child’s face light up as they open up a new toy.”
Won’t you help us bring joy to families in need this Christmas?
How to Give: Giving to His Toy Store is completely online! Simply go to hfny.org/HTS to supply toys for a child, family, neighbors, or to stock an entire store! All donations for toys must be received by November 28!
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
– James 1:17
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