Red Cross continues toy drive for area disaster victims

Date: 12/13/2011

SPRINGFIELD — The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter Disaster Action Team launched its annual Holiday Toy Drive on Nov. 28 and is collecting toys at various locations throughout the Pioneer Valley. The toys collected will be distributed to the children of local families that the chapter has assisted following house fires and other disasters over the past year.

The public is invited to support this special effort by donating new, unwrapped items (for children ages 1-18) to be given to Red Cross client families. The Toy Drive will continue through Dec. 15.

Several locations throughout the community are set up for toy drop-offs. These include: Axia Insurance locations in Springfield and Easthampton, the Jewish Community Center in Springfield, various Bank of America locations in Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow and Ludlow, Hair East in West Springfield, Nick’s Nest and Dam Café in Holyoke, Excel Nursing in Ludlow, and Holyoke Credit Union branches in Holyoke, West Springfield and Agawam.

Toys can also be dropped of at the Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter, 506 Cottage St.

For additional information on drop off locations, contact Mary Nathan, director of Disaster Services at the Pioneer Valley Chapter at 737-4306 ext. 1917.