HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Christmas is drawing near and with the community’s help, nearly 200 needy children could experience the joy of receiving gifts.
BeHeartfelt, a nonprofit organization that feeds roughly 200 hungry children every weekend, has launched a Christmas toy drive to give these children a little holiday hope.
“We will add the small items to their meal pack bags on the last (day) of school before break, a small toy or a cool puzzle. We would love any extra balls or items to go to the social workers to divide amongst themselves after for any families with siblings that are in need too. I listed items we thought about. Not fancy. Maybe $15 for a ball at most. It is something special that is only there and has been gifted with love for them,” BeHeartfelt founder, Lori Marsh Marble, said.
The toy drive considers that some families do not have the resources to apply for other Christmas toy drive programs.
“Unfortunately, there are children who don’t have parents able to fill out forms or drive to pick up toys being given out this year. So we take the toys to them through their backpacks,” BeHeartfelt said.
BeHeartfelt has already purchased some gifts for the children.
“I bought 30 skateboards for $10 each coming to Guam from Walmart. A small gesture but these kids need activities and to feel cared for,” Marble said.
The nonprofit is seeking toys appropriate for kids in elementary and middle school and toys that do not require batteries and are weather-friendly, as many of the children are homeless. Toys that promote active and sensory play are welcome.
The wish list includes: sports balls, marbles, Gonggi, hacky sacks, toy cars, card games, jacks, small dolls, color pencils and pens, drawing books, small trucks, fidget toys and puzzle books.
People who are off-island can also donate to the toy drive by visiting one of the BeHeartfelt registries online at https://shorturl.at/qwOZ2 and https://shorturl.at/kwR01.
“I made a few registries online for Guam friends living in the states. Easy to ship some toys home,” she said.
Each donated toy will be placed in the child’s backpack along with their weekend meals on the last Friday before Christmas break.
Toys can be dropped off at Calvary Baptist Church, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or on Wednesdays from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.
Donation boxes are also set up at Coast360 and Bonita Baby.
The toy drive will end Dec. 11.
The Roedema family, from Barrigada, try and decide which fresh tree to buy at the Home Depot Christmas tree lot on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Tamuning.
