Filling The Toy Closet

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Knights of Columbus Council 185, we would like to thank all of you for making the 2007 Toy Closet such a success!

The toy closet is open to everyone, but is mainly setup for those who might be having a bit of hard luck making sure that Christmas morning is as magical as it should be. We have two rules: take what you need and take as much as you like. We collected well over 3,000 toys and gifts and it wasn’t so much the quantity that was amazing, but the quality that was donated as well. Special recognition and thanks to the Toy Tree in Sandy Hook for not only donating over 200 gifts to our efforts this summer, but then answering our prayers by providing 130 iPod shuffles as much needed gifts for teens. These were a hot item and were very much appreciated.

We were blessed with large crowds the two nights we had our open house. Besides local parents showing up, we had representatives of different church and social concerns groups who work with disadvantaged children to take advantage of what we had, such as the Mcgivney Guild, and the Isaiah House. Resident Sally Jacko, working with Father Peter Towsley of St Ann’s in Bridgeport, collected roughly 200 toys and gifts for the children of the still Katrina-ravaged Ninth Ward in New Orleans. A special delivery was made to the missionaries of charity in Bridgeport of roughly 500 toys.

Deep heart-felt gratitude goes to Robin Buchanan, Bev Tevnan, Patti Demaida, and Mary and Brianna Barry. These ladies not only came early to decorate the old church hall and turn it into Santa’s workshop, but then helped our shoppers pick through the assortment to find the right gifts, and then offered to gift wrap them as well. They probably wrapped between 300 and 400 gifts over the two nights. These ladies were our Christmas angels and supplied the wonderful spirit of Christmas that the Knights alone certainly could not have provided.

Special thanks to our brother knights who gave their time to this effort by standing by the side, offering refreshments and helping folks bring their gifts out to their cars. All of your time and effort was much appreciated.

And finally, on behalf of some very grateful families and we’re sure many happy kids Christmas morning from here to half way across the country, thanks to all of you for your boundless generosity this past year and especially these last few months. Without your effort and goodwill the Toy Closet would not be possible.

Merry Christmas, and a safe, prosperous, and healthy New Year to you all!

Vivat Iesus!

Jim Tevnan and Rick Scinto

Co-Directors 2007 Toy Closet

Knights of Columbus Virgilus 185

46 Church Hill Road, Newtown                       December 26, 2007