The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee donated more than 6,000 gifts to Boys and Girls Clubs members this past holiday season through the nonprofit’s “Click for St. Nick Online Toy Drive,” exceeding its initial goal of donating 5,500 toys.
The drive, which ran from the end of November through December, collected toys through the generosity of area residents and business members, who could purchase gifts using an online donation system. The online system featured a toy catalog with specific toy options. The online system also featured custom links for the nonprofit’s corporate partners so they could easily share the drive with their employees.
Gifts, pre-wrapped by volunteers, were distributed to club members at holiday parties hosted at club locations throughout Milwaukee in December.
“I think on behalf of not just here in my unit but across the organization it makes us feel good for our kids because we know what some of our members have waiting or do not have waiting for them at home, and it really feels good to see the actual awe and surprise on their faces when they do open their gifts,” said Jacqueline Zeledon, communications manager for the nonprofit.
“Part of our mission is to address those who need us most, so even with our ‘Click for St. Nick Online Toy Drive,’ we’re addressing those children who need us most including during the holidays,” Zeledon said.
Title sponsors of the toy drive included Bayshore Community Foundation, Bayshore Town Center, and BMO Harris.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee have been hosting holiday toy drives since 1990 and have donated more than 55,000 gifts to members through their drive initiatives.
