INDIANAPOLIS — Like many events in 2020, the annual YMCA toy drive distribution in Indianapolis looked a little different on Saturday.
“Everyone is just coming through in cars, usually they stop and we talk and we take some pictures,” said Shawn Hunter, who volunteered for her 11th year at the event.
People who signed up to received gifts drove their cars into the Indiana State Fairgrounds, passed volunteers a sheet of paper, popped the trunk, and toys were dropped in. A very quick transaction.
Volunteers and organizers said the pandemic did make it challenging to determine the best way to get gifts to families, but of all years, they knew this one was very important that they figure it out.
“This pandemic has really put a lot of burden on people this year,” said Chris Tolliver, chair of the Annual YMCA Toy Drive.
The team also had to cut back on volunteers to maintain social distancing. They worked for hours packing gifts and loading cars with just 60 people as opposed to the usual 150.
“God has blessed us with the strength and the energy to continue to do what we promised our community we would do,” said Martha Bonds, board chair for Avondale YMCA.
Overall 1,800 families were served this year in the toy drive and 3,250 kids received gifts for the holidays.
If you would like to help with the next toy drive or support YMCA in other programs visit indymca.org.
