SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Civic Fund is hosting their annual Secret Santa and the Angry Elf toy drive this holiday season.
According to Joe Deedy, President of the Southwick Civic Fund, the drive consists of receiving donations of unwrapped toys for children from the ages of one to 15-years-old. Deedy says toys are donated by people throughout the community as well as businesses and organizations in town.
The toy drive serves anywhere from 50 to 100 families each year. Any family that would like to receive toys can fill out an application on the Southwick Civic Fund website. With the deadline for applications being December 12, the “Angry Elves”, which are Deedy’s volunteers, show up to the homes of the families days before Christmas and deliver the toys.
The Southwick Civic Fund is accepting unwrapped toys until December 12. (Photo from Moolicious)
Deedy has hosted this event since 2014 and says that his “Angry Elves” always come back from delivering the toys to the homes with great memories.
“They come back with a lot of stories of tears shed,” said Deedy. “I get nothing but compliments that the parents are so happy.”
Prior to organizing the event in 2014, Deedy, his family, and volunteers had helped the West Springfield Park and Recreation Center with their “Operation Santa” for about 10 years.
As a result of the great experience he had with “Operation Santa,” Deedy thought it was time to begin his own event.
“We learned a lot from them (Operation Santa),” said Deedy. “I decided, lets figure out how to give back.”
Growing up on welfare in Westfield, Deedy knows the struggle that families can go through providing for their children, especially during the holiday season.
“You don’t really forget your roots, “said Deedy.
If anyone has questions or comments about the Secret Santa and Angry Elf toy drive, contact the Southwick Civic Fund at 413-569-1700.
