Spreading Holiday Cheer: Friends’ 2024 Toy Drive
Did you know Friends For All (Friends) has an annual Toy Drive to bring Christmas cheer to Memphis and Mid-South families impacted by HIV? Each year, we work with parents to make sure their children have gifts to open on Christmas morning. With your help, we can make this season brighter and show families they’re part of a caring community.
Brighten the Holidays for Families in Need
The holiday season is here, and we’re thrilled to kick off our annual Friends For All Toy Drive! Each year, this beloved tradition allows us to support families impacted by HIV, giving them a holiday to remember and filling Christmas morning with joy. But we need your help to make it happen.
In Memphis, many families are juggling health challenges along with financial burdens. For these parents, buying holiday gifts can be difficult, if not impossible. But your donation can change that! By helping us reach our $10,000 fundraising goal, you’ll bring Christmas magic to these families and remind them they’re not alone.
Why Your Donation Matters
When you give to the Friends For All Toy Drive, you’re not just buying toys—you’re building connections and spreading hope. Every dollar raised goes directly towards personalized gifts for children under 10, whose families work with us throughout the year to receive crucial health and social support.
With each gift, we empower parents to give their children a joyful holiday season. We handle the shopping and delivery so parents can focus on what truly matters: sharing in the happiness and warmth of the season with their kids. Together, we can let families know that their community sees them, supports them, and believes in brighter days ahead.
The Heartwarming Toy Drive Process
Our Toy Drive is an experience we all look forward to at Friends For All! Each staff member who volunteers for the drive takes on a very special role in making the holiday dreams of these families come true.
Here’s how it works:
Connecting with Families: Our team reaches out directly to parents of children under ten who qualify for the program. We speak with each parent to learn about their child’s needs and interests, making sure every gift is meaningful.
Thoughtful Shopping: Each staff member is given a budget to shop for one or more children, focusing on gifts that will bring joy and meet each child’s unique needs—whether it’s a beloved Disney character or a new pair of shoes.
Ensuring Delivery: We arrange for gifts to be sent directly to families or picked up at our headquarters, so parents can surprise their children on Christmas morning.
The process is not just fulfilling but truly heartwarming for everyone involved. For our staff, getting to know the families and personally choosing gifts makes the season feel brighter and more meaningful. "The Toy Drive is one of the best parts of the year," says one team member. "Being able to connect with families and shop for these amazing kids—it brings so much joy."
The Friends For All Mission: Empowering and Uplifting Communities Year-Round
The Toy Drive is just one way Friends For All supports low-income families in Memphis, but it embodies our larger mission of offering dignity, care, and community to those in need. Throughout the year, we provide free health services, education, and resources to low-income individuals and families impacted by HIV.
When you contribute to our Toy Drive, you’re not just helping us spread holiday cheer—you’re strengthening our mission of care and connection. Your support means we can continue building a healthier, more compassionate Memphis for everyone.
Thank you for helping us create a season filled with joy and giving. Together, we’re making a difference—one gift, one family, one smile at a time.
