News
December 14, 2022Toys for Toga Delivers 2,600 Toys, $24,000 in Teen Gifts
The 10th annual Toys for Toga campaign is proud to announce it has donated over 2,600 toys, including $24,000 in gifts for teenagers, to the program’s 3 local beneficiaries.
Death Wish Coffee Company donated the teen-specific gifts for the first time this year. The gifts included gaming consoles, sporting goods, headphones, bedding, gift cards and more. “Each year, I grow more amazed by the community’s support for Toys for Toga,” said Eric Donovan, Community Engagement Director for Death Wish Coffee Company. “With everyone’s help, we are making the holidays brighter for so many local children, including local teens who we were able to specifically help for the first time this year.”
Toys for Toga organizers delivered the toys to the program’s three beneficiaries:
Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs, CAPTAIN Community Human Services in Clifton Park, and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.
“It’s always an amazing feeling to see the smiles on the faces of the organizations we help with this program,” said Carmine DeCrescente III, Vice President of DeCrescente Distributing
Company, which distributes toy collection bins, creates marketing materials, and administers the program’s GoFundMe account. “Their staff members work so hard all year long and we
are happy to extend a helping hand when they need it most. On behalf of everyone at DeCrescente, thank you to all our toy-drop off locations and everyone who helped make this
holiday season extra special for local kids.”
Toys for Toga is spearheaded by several Saratoga County businesses, including DeCrescente Distributing Company, Discover Saratoga, Death Wish Coffee Company, Druthers Brewing Company and Quick Response Restoration. “This program was designed to help bring joy to local children in need during the holiday season,” said Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga, another founding member of the Toys for Toga program. “Each year, I am amazed by the outpouring of toys and monetary donations from the local community. I’d like to personally thank every person and business who participated in Toys for Toga this year, and years past. I’m so grateful to live and work in a community where people give so generously.”
In addition to the toys, Toys for Toga has raised over $7,600 in cash to donate to the 3 beneficiaries. Of that cash donation, $2,500 was raised through the sale of Druthers Brewing Company’s signature Toys for Toga NEIPA beer. This year’s beer, which was aged on tangerines for a juicy, citrusy flavor, was available on draft at several Saratoga County bars, and available in 4-packs at beverage centers and grocery stores across the county.
Over $4,500 was raised through Toys for Toga’s GoFundMe page. The page will remain up for the rest of the holiday season and those who would like to contribute can still do so at:
www.gofundme.com/f/toys-for-toga-2022 We would like to specifically thank Gail Dunmyer, one of Death Wish Coffee’s biggest fans, who raised over $3,000 for the GoFundMe this year.
Andy Gilpin, Executive Director of CAPTAIN Community Human Services said, “The holiday season is especially challenging for many of our local families. Every parent hopes for a big,
bright smile on their child’s face when they tear open the wrapping paper and see what’s inside. Through the generosity of our community, there will be hundreds of smiles come
Christmas morning and much hope for our families going into the new year.”
Franklin Community Center Development Director Mary Beth McGarrahan said, “We are so grateful to be included in the annual Toys for Toga toy drive and fundraiser and we thank all
who donated toys and money this year. This has brought hope to so many, exhibiting what the holiday spirit truly means. We are fortunate to live in a very special community of caring
people and we would like to thank everyone who contributed. Thank you as well to DeCrescente, Quick Response, Death Wish Coffee, Druthers and Discover Saratoga for
organizing this tremendous effort and helping to fulfill the Christmas dreams of less fortunate children, who might otherwise have gone without.”
Megan Quillinan, Executive Director of the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center said, “Toys for Toga embodies all that it means when we say #ittakesacommunity. It is heart-warming to see local businesses partner with community organizations to support so many during the holiday season. This year, MACSC with the help of Toys for Toga, will be able to help over 400 children from local school districts.”
Toys for Toga would not be possible without the 80+ local businesses who helped collect toys, sell beer, and promote our GoFundMe page. A full list of participating businesses can be
found below. Thank you to Forno Bistro, which donated $600 from sales during November’s Discover Saratoga Annual Restaurant Week. The Horseshoe, Nanola, The Hideaway, Iron’s Edge and more held special events at their locations to encourage toy drop offs and fundraising and we greatly appreciate their efforts this year!
Businesses who would like to participate in Toys for Toga next year are encouraged to contact Roberto Cruz, Communications Manager at DeCrescente Distributing at
r.cruz@ddcbev.com or 518-539-2035.
