nothin Community Rallies For Dixwell’s Xmas | New Haven Independent

Community Rallies For Dixwell’s Xmas

Contributed Photo

United Way staffers deliver bikes to the toy-giveaway crew.

Organizers are extending a toy and coat giveaway by an extra day in the Dixwell neighborhood as they appeal for last-minute donations in the wake of a theft this weekend.

The three-day giveaway was supposed to run through Tuesday at the Dixwell police substation at 26 Charles St.

Then an estimated $20,000 worth of toys and coats disappeared over the weekend before the drive started. (Read about that here.) Organizers ran out of toys again on Monday for many of the families who signed up, according to lead organizer Metashar Dillon. So she is adding a third day, Wednesday, for the drive while the appeal goes out for more toys and coats.

After the Independent reported on the theft Monday morning, the mayor’s office and Untied Way of Greater New Haven came through with some donations to help get through Monday. Both agencies also plan to take Dillon’s group shopping for more toys on Tuesday, so that day’s drive will open at 2 p.m., not noon, and run through 7 p.m. Wal-Mart is chipping in; the Greater New Haven Urban League also donated 15 bags full of 300 toys.

Donors can drop off items at the police substation at 26 Charles St. or contact Dillon at 860 – 810-7153.

United Way responded to the call by delivering six bicycles and more than $1,300 in time for Monday’s giveaway.

The bikes were donated by the New Horizons High School students; they expect to deliver more on Wednesday. A math teacher at the school runs a class where the students fix up bikes to turn around and donate to local kids in need,” said a United Way spokesman. Helping this cause was a great fit.” The money come from a two-day online drive among local businesses. Click here to donate.

Agencies in Stamford and in Springfield, Mass. also invited the organizers to travel to those cities Monday night to pick up donations.

Police, meanwhile, are investigating the theft.

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