Lunden Holmes, 4, hugs some of the toys that she got at The Partnership for the Homeless. Credit: Miles Dixon
Metro, The Partnership for the Homeless and Toys for Tots were able to spread holiday cheer this season to some of the 22,000 kids who live in the city’s shelter system through Tony’s Metro Magic toy drive.
All through November and December, Metro invited readers to donate toys that would then be distributed to needy children throughout New York City, ensuring that they had something special waiting for them on Christmas morning. Hundreds of toy donations poured into the Metro offices, including: Elmo dolls, bicycles and hand-held video games.
“Thanks for making it easy to give to some of the hardest hit kid people this Christmas season,” one reader wrote.
Eric, 8, wrote that he hoped the gift he bought was enjoyed. “I would like it to go to a little girl. I picked it out myself,” he said.
Metro’s annual toy drive was especially meaningful for us this year. The annual Metro Magic event was renamed in honor of Tony Metcalfe, our much beloved editor in chief, who passed away from colon cancer over the summer. Metro Magic was something that he held dear to his heart.
The Partnership for the Homeless and Toys for Tots came to our offices last week and picked up the toys to distribute over the holidays to children who may not otherwise have a Christmas.
Metro has joined with The Partnership for the Homeless over the last two years to help provide gifts for their annual holiday party. The Partnership provides a number of resources to help get homeless families into shelters and to help provide them with housing and the parents with job training to get them back on their feet. Their annual holiday party provides meals and toys for more than 450 kids. Toys for Tots is a national organization run by the U.S. Marines that provides toys to children all over the five boroughs and throughout the country.
Metro would like to thank all the readers who reached into their wallets and hearts to help make the holidays sunnier for the city’s neediest residents. You are part of the reason that New York City remains the greatest place in the world.
