Toys for Toga Launches 13th Holiday Campaign
A media event celebrating the official launch of the 13th annual Toys for Toga campaign at the intersection of Broadway and Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs on Oct. 29. Pictured from left to right: Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga; Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh; Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner; Senator Jim Tedisco; Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus; Death Wish Coffee Marketing Director Shannon Sweeney; and Toys for Toga Program Coordinator Max Oswald. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A colorful assortment of gifts dotted the scene: racecars, board games, beer, coffee, and dinosaur sludge. The presents, intended of course for Holiday revelers of varying ages, signaled the arrival of the 13th annual Toys for Toga campaign, which provides gifts and monetary donations to local children and families in need.
Toys for Toga, which officially launched on Nov. 3 after a press event on Oct. 29, is a collaborative effort of more than 100 Saratoga County businesses that last year delivered 4,500 toys to the Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs, the CAPTAIN Community Human Services in Clifton Park, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center in Mechanicville. 100% of all toys and monetary donations will remain in Saratoga County, divided evenly among the three aforementioned beneficiary organizations.
Businesses ranging from Death Wish Coffee to G. Willikers Toys to The Rusty Nail now have bins stationed inside their respective locations waiting to be filled with new, unwrapped toy donations. (A complete list of drop-off locations is available at www.toysfortoga.com.)
“Toys for Toga has become a cherished Saratoga tradition, one that perfectly reflects our community’s generosity and spirit,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga and a founding member of Toys for Toga. “It’s amazing to see so many local businesses and individuals come together year after year to make the holidays brighter for children across Saratoga County.”
“We’re really excited that this is our 11th year participating in Toys for Toga, and it’s something we genuinely look forward to every year,” said Death Wish Coffee Marketing Director Shannon Sweeney. “It gets our employees excited, gets the community excited, and it’s really a testament for what a community can do when they come together. This area truly knows how to step up and help a community in need and, together, we’re impacting three amazing local charities. It’s an honor to be in partnership with you guys.”
This season, Death Wish has a special offer available for donors (and those in need of a caffeine fix). The donation of a toy valued at $20 or more at the Death Wish office at 260 Broadway will be rewarded with a free bag of coffee. The office is open Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Another special offer for adults: Druthers Brewing has a Toys for Toga winter ale available in four-packs at local beverage centers and grocery stores.
Those who’d rather contribute to the cause monetarily can do so by visiting www.toysfortoga.com.