Lynda Gordon – DCF Jackson Square Area Office in Roxbury, MA
“I have been doing this toy drive for 21 years with the Dimock Center. My youngest daughter was in 2nd grade when I first helped with the holiday drive. I thought this was a great way to teach children about giving back to the community.
I started out with 30 children getting their clothing and toy wish lists and have now grown to over 120 children. I have people sending me gifts from many different states (thanks to Amazon!) as well as cash donations to purchase gifts for children. I make sure all children within families have similar amounts of gifts and teenagers receive $200 gift cards. Waking up Christmas morning knowing that all these children have smiles on their faces makes all the time and effort well worth it!!”
Debbie and Josh Jacobs – DCF Riverway Area Office in Dorchester, MA
“When I was growing up, my family would “adopt” several families each Christmas season to help fulfill their wishes and needs. It’s something that has stayed with me over the years, especially because we shopped for everything together. My parents were very intentional about pointing out that many of the requests like warm coats, hats, socks, underwear were items we often took for granted. That perspective left a lasting impression on me.
As a parent, I wanted to instill those same values in my own children. I began looking for a similar opportunity in the Boston area and came across The Wonderfund. It immediately felt like the right fit. My kids were still young when we started, and while they helped shop for children’s wish lists, it took a few years for them to fully understand and truly appreciate the impact of what the organization does for thousands of children each year.
What began with just a few friends joining us has grown into something much bigger. This past year, together with family and friends, we sponsored 293 children. We now have people participating from all over, Brazil, New York, Florida, Denver, and Maryland, sending gifts directly to me so I can prepare them for Wonderfund’s pickup day. It’s even expanded to friends of friends reaching out, wanting to be part of the effort. We now require a U-Haul to transport the gifts from our house to the Wonderfund office!
As parents, we’re always trying to instill positive values in our children and sometimes more successfully than others but hearing my kids talk to their classmates about the Wonderfund and what we do is incredibly rewarding. Each year, I find myself getting emotional as I look at the collection of gifts, knowing they will bring not only essentials but also joy and excitement on Christmas morning.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our friends and family, the dedication of the Wonderfund staff, and especially Cokiena Fuller. Her passion and commitment to helping others are truly inspiring.”
