Toys for Tots, a community-based donation to help children and families in need during the holidays, is a charitable organization sponsored by the Milford Professional Firefighters Association, which many volunteers and donors in the community of Milford help support.
This program is run by Co-Chairmen Doug Hannigan and Jason Stacoffe who have held this position together since 2015. Their main goals are to collect toys and raise money to support families who are struggling.
The community of Milford has made a huge impact on this organization by donating anything to help families who need extra support.
2024 Co-Chairman Doug Hannigan has been working with Toys for Tots for 8 years and has loved each year. Being eligible to run an event of this magnitude is one of his proudest moments as a fireman, not only does he get to save families medically, he gets to help support them throughout the holidays.
Hannigan states, “I have two children of my own at home so supporting and running this organization is a huge achievement as these families are held very close to my heart.”
Programs like Toys for Tots worldwide have helped assist over 291 million families, providing a joyful holiday each year. These programs support families with children from ages newborn to age 11.
Stacoffe mentions, “The best part of Toys for Tots is being able to help those in need. Our recipients are always grateful knowing we were able to help make their children’s Christmas special is very rewarding.”
Throughout Stacoffe’s eight years as co-chairman and more years as a volunteer, this program has only grown over time.
Donation centers are all around the community of Milford. Some of the students from Joseph A. Foran have contributed to help or donated to the program. Donating to this program not only shows dedication to contributing to each community but also leaves you with a warm feeling of joy and happiness at being able to help these families and put smiles on the children’s faces.
Junior Makayla Crespo, a current Interact and Key Club member, has volunteered for this program.
Crespo states, “Having the opportunity to volunteer for Toys for Tots impacted my views on how the Milford community comes together for those in need.”
This program has a very well-organized system to ensure each family gets four donation items. Coordinators take all of the unwrapped, new toys to a central warehouse where they will be stored, then volunteers get to work.
They start by sorting donations by age and gender, and by the time they are done, the selected families have already reached out to [email protected] with proof of their residency. Eventually, they will arrange a time to pick up their toys and their kids will get to enjoy them.
Toys can be dropped off at any Milford Fire Station and other local businesses by December 17th. Any family needing assistance should call (203) 874-6783 or email [email protected].
