A Message from the Co-Founders

On behalf of all our amazing volunteers who make Toys for Joys happen every year, we THANK YOU for your continued support over the last few years. Unfortunately, with COVID and the Flu anticipated to be a challenge as the holidays approach, we have decided to once again hold off on our annual “Gift Gala” and concentrate our efforts on fundraising. We know our mission must still be accomplished. We had a very successful 2021 raising $100,000 allowing us to purchase and distribute approximately 10,000 toys and gifts!!! We hope to do even more this year.

As a 100% volunteer organization, we have very little overhead. We guarantee your trusted donations will bring a smile and a sense of hope to children, teens, and families this holiday season. We have vetted and partnered with organizations who care for underprivileged children, teens and families in our state. On a daily basis, they help so many suffering through poverty, food insecurity, mental illness, and numerous other major life challenges. Through Wonderfund of Massachusetts, we also supply all 29 Massachusetts DCF (Dept of Children and Families) offices with gifts and toys for our foster children and teens in need this holiday season.

In 2002, we started as a small housewarming holiday party with a small tree and a few bags of donated toys. In 2022, we are a 501c3 organization providing thousands of toys/gifts each year to underprivileged children throughout the ENTIRE state of Massachusetts. It is with the generosity of friends, family, fantastic corporations, local businesses, and individual sponsors that we have been able to make such an impact for our beneficiary partners:

• Wonderfund of Massachusetts (MA Department of Children and Families)
• Casa Iris/Multicultural AIDS Coalition (Jamaica Plain)
• IBA (South End)
• Eastern Service Workers Association (Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan)
• United South End Settlements (South End)
• Urban Farming Institute (Mattapan, Dorchester)
• Boston Housing Authority/Joseph Tierney Learning Center (Boston)
• St. Ann’s Home and School (Methuen)

We must give a big shout out to our wonderful team of volunteer professionals who stick with us year after year, including Gay for Good and FLAG Football. This is truly a case of “it takes a village”, and we thank every organization and individual who make Toys for Joys a priority each year.

We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season, and hope you are able to celebrate your holiday safely with the ones you love.

Sincerely,
Dr. James Rifino
Mr. Harry Pihl