BC toy drive was started 30 years ago by Marla Friedman, a Teaneck mom and teacher, to get kids involved in chesed during Chanukah. Joy Sklar and Dalia Stelzer took the reins 11 years ago.

We love to get young people involved. Over the years we have had many bnot mitzvah who have held fundraisers like bake sales to support the drive. One year, a particular young lady wanted to make a special donation with the money she raised. After consulting the various charities, the bat mitzvah bought and assembled a brand new bike to donate to a young girl who was suffering from an illness. We had another young man who, with his mother, organized a Ping Pong tournament fundraiser as part of his bar mitzvah. He used the money to purchase gifts for some local bnei mitvah anonymously … and after the tournament the boys came to the sorting site and helped load 50 bags of toys into the charity’s truck .

We love to create opportunities for chesed even for our receiving charities. While we support Yachad by donating toys as incentives for their annual family shabbaton, our local Yachad day program has come to the drive to help us remove price tags and package jewelry and other accessories—it’s a win win! We are always looking for volunteers of all ages. Volunteers may be asked to help sort toys, pack toys, break down boxes and shop. Volunteers will be needed this year from November 20-December 5.

High school students who need chesed hours can email [email protected]. Please include your name, grade and school. We are hoping for 100% participation from every shul and school. No toy item is too small. We want to get kids involved in the process of choosing the item. As I tell the kids in school when I visit: The best person to choose a toy for a child is another child.