In 2017, the IRC in Denver started the Season of Giving Toy Donation Drive to allow clients to feel part of the USA holiday season and to extend gift giving to their children. This year the IRC in Denver's Youth Program Specialist Abigail Coyle initially placed 103 youth on the IRC in Denver's Season of Giving Toy Donation Drive Wishlist.

"We were hopeful to gift to 100 children"

says Abigail, 

"however, due to the incredibly high community support all donation spots were filled after just two weeks and still more people were asking to donate to our Wishlist."

Due to the unparalleled generosity of the numerous community members - both, first time donors as well as long-time loyal Wishlist Givers - the IRC in Denver was ultimately able to collect gifts for an additional 80 children from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Haiti, Cuba, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Myanmar (Burma) - totaling in presents for 183 youth (a total of 60 households). 

"Almost all of the clients on our Wishlist were experiencing their first USA holiday season, as these families have only been in Colorado for a short time,"

explains Abigail and adds on:

"We couldn't have done it without the help of our amazing volunteers who not only helped sort all the gifts (double checking there was something for each child in the family), organized them by delivery areas, and then distributed them all in one day - similar to Santa Claus! They donated their time and gas to drive to families homes all the way from Northglenn to South Centennial to Golden and Eastern Aurora."

As the timing of the toy drive was aligned with the family's winter breaks, all children received their gifts at a time they were needed the most.

"These toys are special to the parents and caregivers, as the joy on their children's faces spoke volumes, and the kids had something to play with during the holiday downtime,"

says Abigail and elaborates:

"All families were so surprised and thankful and numerous parents shared their words of thanks through translation apps saying: I want to tell you they are so happy with the games; Many many thanks, I thank you so much; or Good afternoon I want to give you thanks for the gifts for my son, thank you the whole team of the IRC for the support, I bless you greatly.”

One of the parents told Abigail that her children had never received gifts like these before and expressed het thankfulness and appreciation for each individual child's present. A ten year old used google translate to say that the games and the toys were so beautiful and he wanted to thank  her and the team and wish them a happy new year, and the older teen siblings of the families couldn't hide their surprise when there was even something for them.

The IRC in Denver's Season of Giving Toy Drive was a joyful occasion that wouldn't have been possible without the support of our fantastic supporters.

If you or your organization are interested in supporting this initiative in 2024, please contact the IRC in Denver's Youth Program Specialist Abigail Coyle at [email protected].

Written by: Hanna Simmons