New Bedford Firefighters’ Union 16th Annual Toy Drive

Join the New Bedford Firefighters’ Union and United Way of Greater New Bedford in their 16th Annual Toy Drive to provide toys to local youth this holiday season. New, unwrapped toys, gift cards or movie tickets can be donated at locations throughout the SouthCoast through Monday, December 15th.

“Each year we see the requests for toys grow in our community,” said Victoria Grasela, Communications & Development Associate at United Way. “Families are struggling to put food on the table and pay rent, so the idea of purchasing toys this holiday season is daunting. We hope our community will pull together to help us make the holidays bright for the kids in our area.”

Thousands of toys are collected and distributed to agencies in Greater New Bedford each year. From trucks and dolls to games and books, items for all ages newborn – teens are needed. Gift cards and movie tickets make great gifts for teenage recipients.

All of the items collected will be separated and delivered to local nonprofit organizations that serve youth. Some organizations that have received toys from the drive in the past include: Greater New Bedford Women’s Center, Schwartz Center for Children, NorthStar Learning Centers, Donovan House and HarbOUR House/ Family Preservation Program. These agencies will distribute the toys to children through their various holiday activities.

The New Bedford Firefighters Union and the United Way have enabled the Family Preservation Program to provide a gift for every child at Christmas time,” said Wendy Bluis, Program Coordinator. “The presents are given out at our Christmas party and we are grateful for the joy they bring to these children.”

New, unwrapped toys or gift cards can be dropped off at any of the following businesses:

• Any New Bedford Fire Station from 8am-6pm
• Ashley Ford (395 Mt. Pleasant St, New Bedford)
• Baarsvik Souza Orthodontics (1403 Tucker Rd, Dartmouth)
• Buster’s Sports Bar & Grille (227 State Rd., Dartmouth)
• Club Fit Dartmouth (Dartmouth Mall)
• First Citizen Credit Union Branches:
• 271 Union Street, New Bedford
• 570 North Front Street, New Bedford
• 1341 Cove Road, New Bedford
• 2 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett
• Flagship Cinemas (500 Kings Hwy, New Bedford)
• Glaser Glass (1265 Purchase St, New Bedford)
• Knuckleheads Bar & Grille (85 MacArthur Dr., New Bedford)
• Lowe’s (2421 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham)
• Munchkin Mania (132 S. Main St., Acushnet)
• New Bedford Credit Union (1150 Purchase St or 120 Dawson St)
• New Bedford Housing Authority Office (134 South Second St)
• PharmaHealth Pharmacy (132 Alden Rd, Fairhaven)
• Rockland Trust (133 Ashley Blvd, New Bedford)
• Star Oil Co. (228 Rockdale Ave, New Bedford)
• Town Hall of Fairhaven (40 Center St, Fairhaven)
• Treeland Nursery (46 Rockdale Ave, New Bedford)
• USA Jeep Owners Association (109 Chace Rd, Freetown)
• Zapp (266 Barnett Blvd., New Bedford)

Donate toys now until Monday, December 15th. These toys will be distributed to local organizations serving youth throughout New Bedford.

Please do not contact the New Bedford Fire Department with toy requests. Please contact United Way of Greater New Bedford with any questions at 508-994-9625 ext. 10.