Catholic Charities of Oregon is collecting toys for families the agency serves
Oregon donors can make Christmas joyful and memorable for struggling families by giving to Catholic Charities’ annual toy drive.
Called “Holiday Helpers,” the collection runs the first week of December and will culminate with the Toy and Joy Shoppe at Catholic Charities’ North Pole headquarters, when households will be able to pick from donations.
The Catholic Charities Holiday Helper elves will be on hand to assist in choosing gifts and wrapping if desired. Or families can do their own wrapping while they sip cocoa, enjoy holiday music and sit in the glow of Christmas lights.
Recently, a University of Portland student told Catholic Charities that when she was a girl, she received a winter jacket from the Catholic Charities Christmas toy drive. It was a moment when she first felt love from the wider community, and it helped set her on a successful path.
“I will never forget that moment,” says Cing Sian Nem, whose family were refugees from Myanmar. “I got a really warm coat. We couldn’t even say thank you because we were so happy and excited to open the gifts. It was very heartwarming. It is one of the memories I most can recall at this point.”
Here is a list of needed gifts:
- gift cards to Target, Walmart, Fred Meyer, Amazon and craft stores
- action figures
- board games
- Legos
- Hot Wheels
- Barbie
- Melissa & Doug toys
- educational toys
- books
- stuffed animals
- dolls
- arts & crafts
- sports equipment
By scanning the QR code, donors can order gifts online from Amazon, which will deliver them to the Catholic Charities office. Gifts ordered online should be set to arrive no later than Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. Or donors can drop gifts off directly to 2740 SE Powell Blvd. in Portland Dec. 4-6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Questions: Contact Jen Toohey, volunteer services coordinator, jtoohey@ccoregon.org or 503-807-9441.
