Marine Corp Helping Kids In Western New York

The flakes have started falling, the holiday decorations are up and fully in place, and the jolly man in the red suit has started making his rounds. 

If you like to help spread festive cheer and make the season a little brighter for those in our community, there are plenty of ways to chip in! 

Buffalo State University’s Learning, Engagement, and Development Services (LEADS) Office will be collecting toys in connection with the U.S. Marine Corps’ 2024 Toys for Tots program, collecting new, unwrapped toys in a bin outside Buckham Hall A100, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, on the Buff State Campus, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until December 12. “Last year, we collected about 100 toys. Let’s see if we can beat this mark!” the office says, issuing a friendly challenge to the community. For more information on how to help, call LEADS senior contract manager Rob Skutnik at 716-878-6137 or Lenore McLaurin at 716-878-5607. 

Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul kicked off a statewide donation drive to collect new unwrapped toys, new school supplies, and new and gently used coats. Donations will be distributed to community-based organizations across the state. 

“Together we can spread joy and hope this holiday season by supporting our community-based organizations throughout New York’s statewide Toy, Coat, and School Supply Drive,” she said. “Every item collected is a reminder that kindness and generosity can brighten the lives of our children and families in need.” There are two drop-off locations in Buffalo: The Electric Tower, 535 Washington Street, and 95 Perry Street. Donations will be accepted through December 13. 

Did you know Anderson’s Frozen Custard has hosted a toy drive for the past six years? It was started by Michaela Kowalick, a former employee at the West Amherst location. She created the drive on her own because she didn’t want any child to wake up on Christmas without a new toy to enjoy. Now there are donation bins in all Anderson’s locations across Erie County through December 8, with all new, unwrapped toys making their way to the Western New York Heroes program, established to help veterans, members of the armed services, and widows and children of veterans who have passed away. 

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is collecting toys for 15 community organizations in the Fruit Belt and beyond, from the Belle Center and Hispanic Heritage Council to the Seneca Babcock Community Center to Old First Ward Community Center. New, unwrapped toys, board games, art supplies, puzzles, books, movies, science kits, and other items can be dropped off inside the main lobby of the hospital at the corner of Elm and Carlton streets until December 16. (That means you can drop gifts off on Friday, December 13, during the Tree of Hope Celebration in Kaminski Park at Roswell Park! It’s the 30th anniversary of the event, and it’s sure to be a night to remember. 

Donations will be collected for the patients at Oishei Children’s Hospital as well, at locations throughout Western New York, including Styles on Summer Street, Salon in the Tower, Beauty Haus Collective, Grazianos Hair Studio, F45 Training in Amherst, Blue Door Salon, A&A Beauty Supply in Lockport, Rugrats Childcare, the Historic Palace Theatre in Locport, DMDA, The Salon Professional Academy, Lockport High School Wet, and the Kenan Center. New, unwrapped toys will be collected through December 16 and dropped off at Oishei on December 17.