In 38th Year, Toys for Tots Drive Still ‘Favorite Day of the Year’ for Brooklyn Park Family
A tradition of holiday giving that started in the 1980’s is continuing this year in Brooklyn Park.
Jerry Moscowitz and his family will host a collection drive benefiting Toys for Tots during a party at their Brooklyn Park home on Saturday, Dec. 9.
“There’s still so many kids that can use toys, both for them and for the parents,” Moscowitz said. “The parents shouldn’t have to struggle with whether to put food on the table or to be able to give their kids some toys during the holidays. Most of these kids have struggled and dealt with different things throughout the year. Everybody should have a chance, just be able to have a chance to be a kid and that’s what we hope this does.”
The toy drive started as a small tradition between family and friends, but eventually turned into a large annual event.
“We’ve got some people that have been coming for 20, 30 years straight,” Moscowitz said. “Their kids know nothing other than coming to our party.”
The U.S. Marines come to the home every year to pick up the toys collected at the party.
Jerry Moscowitz and his family will host a collection drive benefiting Toys for Tots during a party at their Brooklyn Park home on Saturday, Dec. 9.
More than 12,000 Toys Collected in Brooklyn Park
Through the years, Moscowitz estimated they’ve collected about 12,000 toys since they started hosting the drive.
“Seeing all the people — this is our favorite day of the year,” he said. “To hear the knock at the door, the door open and not know who’s going to be there, and you see people coming in with toys, the smiles on their faces, they know that they’re able to contribute and it’s just such a positive energy that goes through the house because everybody feels good about what they’re doing.”
Moscowitz — who is also a real estate agent — invites everyone in the community to drop off unwrapped toys at the party between noon and 8 p.m. on Dec. 9.
He lives at 9255 Telford Bay in Brooklyn Park. The Facebook page for the party is available here.
“We have Santa Claus here, we do different things to hopefully have that spirit that just makes you feel good about what you’re doing,” Moscowitz said. “We always have food out, we’ve got beverages.”
If you can’t attend the party in person, you can contribute to the drive’s Amazon Wishlist here.
See also: Brooklyn Park Man Prepares for 37th Toys for Tots Collection
