Open Door Toy Drive Marks 39th Year
The campaign will distribute over 3,500 new toys to children at six health centers and a new partner organization in Westchester.
By Renata Mehta ·
Open Door Care Network is entering the 39th year of its annual holiday toy distribution program.
The organization plans to distribute more than 3,500 new toys to children across its six health centers during the 2026 holiday season. This year, the scope of the initiative expands to include children served by Family Services of Westchester, which is now part of the Open Door Care Network. The entire operation relies on community donations for financial support and physical goods.
Families within the service area often face financial strain during the holidays due to high costs for housing, food, and other necessities. The toy drive aims to reduce this financial burden while providing gifts for children. Andrea Ruggiero, Executive Vice President of Community Health at Open Door Care Network, stated that the program has served as a way for the community to support families for nearly 40 years.
Wendy Armstrong, senior manager of volunteer programs, encouraged local companies, schools, and individuals to make donations or sponsor toy drives through the first two weeks of December. Donors are asked to prioritize items that promote family interaction over screen time, such as interactive toys, puzzles, board games, and kits. The organization also intends to assemble holiday gift bundles containing books, pajamas, and stocking stuffers for the families it serves.
The tradition began in 1987 when a local family collected 100 toys at a holiday party in Ossining for Open Door patients. Since then, the operation has grown to include registered pickup times at designated locations in Ossining, Port Chester, and Mount Kisco. Families from other health centers will be directed to the nearest participating site, while those served by Family Services of Westchester will collect their gifts in White Plains. Volunteers are needed annually to sort and distribute the collected items.
Those interested in supporting the drive can contact Wendy Armstrong via email at warmstrong@odfmc.org or by phone at 914-305-6877.
Source: River Journal
