HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE
Having a gift to unwrap on Christmas may seem trivial, but it may be the only gift they receive all year for some of these children. To each of them, it means the world.
These presents represent hope in what may feel like a hopeless season. They show these brave children that Santa will always find them, even when they have no home for him to visit. And these gifts let every child the Circle of Love supports know they have not been forgotten.
You never know how something as simple as letting a child know someone cares could affect their future outlook on life.
Since 2004, The Circle of Love has held our annual community-wide toy drive for children at risk of being overlooked during the holidays.
The inaugural drive in 2004 provided gifts to just 31 children. In 2019, more than 90 boxes were filled during the holidays, providing enough toys to allow each child to receive six presents. Together, The Circle of Love and its volunteers have provided more than 25,000 gifts to children all across the Birmingham-metro.
If The Circle of Love can provide hope, happiness, and a joyous Christmas experience during these kids’ otherwise uncertain lives, then our goal is accomplished.
2020 FORCES A CHANGE, BUT YOUR HELP IS NEEDED EVEN MORE!
In past years, so many of you helped by donating new toys collected at your office, in one of our gift wrapped donation boxes, or dropped off at our offices.
Of course, 2020 is different. The need remains (and might be even more significant). However, with Covid-19 surging, we realized that in-person toy collection and handling this year is too much risk for you, for our team, and the families of those receiving toys.
We don’t want these children to feel forgotten, so for 2020, we are taking our toy drive online.
HOW TO HELP!
Helping the children living in these shelters is EASY!
- Select the shelters from the short list below you want to help.
- Click the link for Children’s Wish List for that shelter.
- Shop on Amazon for those children. (The toys you buy will be shipped DIRECTLY to the shelter you selected.)
- Share our Toy Drive by email and Social Media Please!
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS WISH LISTS
Jessie’s Place
Jessie’s Place is a residential transformation program located in the heart of downtown Birmingham that can accommodate up to 35 women and children.
Children’s Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/34O6FHMZZH087?ref_=wl_share
Grace House
The Youth Program at Grace House serves girls ages 6-18 who have been removed from their parental homes and placed in state custody. These girls are provided with 24/7 care in a family atmosphere for each girl – homecooked meals, daily devotions, and live-in house parents.
Children’s Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/24A64UECXSHYN?ref_=wl_share
Olivia’s House
The first residency program for women and children in the state of Alabama, Olivia’s House, has been improving the quality of care for chemically dependent women and their children since its inception in 1993.
Children’s Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/FFI8L0GAYK2F?ref_=wl_share
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This is a safe and easy way to help these children not be forgotten this Christmas!
The Virtual Toy Drive runs through Sunday, December 13, 2020, so please share.
If your office or team wants to participate as an official sponsor, please contact us to let us know. We want to recognize your company or team for your generosity!
Do you still have questions? Please watch our explanation video through the button below or click here to reach out to us directly.