MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Capital Region Toys for Tots is kicking off its 2025 season.
Volunteers said they distributed over 1 million toys to over 600,000 kids in 2024, and the Capital Region Chapter of Toys for Tots is the largest of the more than 800 chapters in the world.
One volunteer said the mission goes beyond just delivering toys.
“Even though it may seem like just a toy, for a kid, it feels like hope for them,” Capital Region Toys for Tots Coordinator Shelby Kleniewski said. “Someone cares about them. They don’t have to worry about the financial burdens their families may be experiencing. So that’s really what we’re delivering. We’re delivering a toy, but we’re delivering hope to the children in our community.”
As the largest Toys for Tots chapter in the world, they need all the help they can get. Kleniewski said everyone who runs the program is a volunteer.
While they are always collecting toy and monetary donations, she said time and community support is just as valuable. To get involved, visit the Toys for Tots Capital Region website.
