Children’s Friend Organization in Need of More Holiday Donations

Because of a late Thanksgiving, toy drives and winter coat donations are running behind and a little lower than usual.

“It’s a challenge, we’re definitely feeling a time crunch,” said Stacy Couto, chief philanthropist at Children’s Friend.

Local businesses, families, and organizations sign up to ‘adopt’ a family in need. That family then fills out a wish list, so sponsors know the sizes, wants, and needs of the kids. 

“Our families are low-income families that don’t have a lot,” explained Andrea Reis, a social worker with the organization. “We are able to provide them with a really great holiday season.”

If sponsors can’t find the right sizes or exactly what’s on their child’s wish list, they can come to Children’s Friend headquarters in Providence, where they are able to “shop” from thousands of donated goods.

“We fill in the gaps wherever we can to make sure that families are covered,” explained Couto. 

While 1400 families have found their sponsors so far, Children’s Friend says there are still over 100 families who need a sponsor.

They are also asking for any extra toy donations and winter coat donations.

If you’d like to sponsor a family or donate gifts, visit the Children’s Friend website. 

(c) WLNE-TV / ABC 6   2019