QUEENS — A Jamaica group is collecting toys for local kids this holiday season in the hopes of cheering up those who live in homeless shelters or whose parents are in jail, the group said Thursday.
The Sutphin Boulevard BID has kicked off its first toy drive, which aims to support its annual program to help neighborhood families living in poverty.
The program, which started with several families, aspires to help 100 kids this year.
The group began its Adopt-A-Family program in 2010, “in response to joblessness and homelessness in the community,” said Simone Price, executive director of the Sutphin Boulevard BID.
Each year the BID, with the help of local schools, nonprofits and community organizations, identifies families in need and asks children to list one or two items within a certain price range that they would like to receive.
Business owners who belong to the BID then collect money for the gifts, ranging from dolls to PlayStation games.
This season, with additional toys from the drive, the BID hopes to offer kids more gifts which will primarily go to children from local shelters and those whose parents are incarcerated, Price said.
Brand new and unwrapped toys can be dropped off until Friday Dec. 13. Toy drop locations: JCAL at 161-04 Jamaica Ave. Mon-Sat, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and JPAC at 153-10 Jamaica Ave. Tues-Fri, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information call the Sutphin Boulevard BID at 718-291-2110.
