Preparing for Christmas, in July: Giving Back Together Toy Drive holding series of fundraisers

Heather Taylor, founder of the Giving Back Together Toy Drive, at a Christmas in July quarter auction fundraiser at Amvets Post 12 in Chicopee last year. A quarter auction is a combination of a raffle, auction, fundraiser and direct sales party that is similar to bingo. Participants bid on items using numbered paddles and quarters. The more paddles a participant buys, the higher their chances of having their number drawn. Another Christmas in July event is slated for July 17. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Heather Taylor, founder of the Giving Back Together Toy Drive, pictured with some toys collected in 2020. FILE PHOTO

By DOMENIC POLI

Staff Writer

Published: 07-06-2024 1:01 PM

Heather Taylor made it her mission years ago to ensure no child goes without a gift on Christmas. But in order to make that happen, she needs to start in the summer.

The Athol resident has scheduled a series of Giving Back Together Toy Drive fundraisers this month to generate some of the money needed to buy new toys for children up to 18 years of age.

First, she is organizing the Athol Town Wide Yard Sale and the toy drive’s first bottle and can collection on July 13. Anyone who donates $20 to Taylor’s cause will get their name and address added to a townwide map made available at 88 Brown St., which is where people can also drop off bottles, cans and new toys from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also, a Christmas in July event is scheduled for Amvets Post 12 at 754 Montgomery St. in Chicopee on July 17.

“I mean, it’s expanding and getting larger every single year,” Taylor said of the toy drive entering its 11th year. “I think the need will be greater this year than last. The need from the community is greater than ever. I don’t think that’s ever going to change.”

Anyone interested in getting in contact with Taylor can reach out through Facebook or by sending an email to givingbacktogether@yahoo.com. Cash is accepted and checks should be made payable to Giving Back Together, though donors are asked to message Taylor so arrangements can be made to mail the payment or hand it over in person. Payments are also accepted via CashApp, PayPal, Facebook Pay and Venmo. Meanwhile, Taylor is trying to recruit volunteers as well. Alternatively, donations can be dropped off in Greenfield anytime on the porch at 86 Aster Court.

Taylor, 39, said she was inspired to start the toy drive because she and her siblings never received Christmas gifts due to their parents’ struggles with addiction.

“I grew up in a home where we didn’t have Christmas and it’s really important to me to make sure no one wakes up on Christmas morning feeling forgotten,” she said.

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