Jackie Gillis

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Nov 10, 2025, 10:22 PM

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Updated

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Toys for Tots Westchester is getting ready to unveil its new home to the public.

A few weeks ago, News 12 reported that this year’s toy collection almost didn’t happen, but local organizations joined together to save Christmas.

“They’re going to have Christmas,” said Patricia LaForey, the co-coordinator for Toys for Tots Westchester. “A month or two ago, there was going to be no Toys for Tots in Westchester.”

On Monday, News 12 got an inside look at the new home. It’s inside the Yonkers Arts building located on Nepperhan Avenue. Organizers say this a Christmas miracle.

“It’s not where we want it to be yet," said LaForey talking about the building. "We still have stacks of boxes that we have to get out,” she said.

Last year, Toys for Tots Westchester helped around 40,000 families. According to leaders, that need has only grown this year.

“Provided all of the major cutbacks in the political climate that we’re faced, we’re looking to double that number,” said Luther V. Garrison Masonic Foundation board member, Harold McKoy Jr.

Organizers say they have a goal of collecting 100,000 toys this holiday season.

“This place should be full with toys, volunteers, sorting, [and] counting,” described LaForey.

Now that they have the location, organizers explain that the work is just getting started. LaForey says they need all sorts of help ranging from donations to volunteers.

“Anyone that can step up and team up, we’re kind of like a new football team,” she said.

LaForey says none of this would be possible without the help of the Luther V. Garrison Masonic Foundation, Yonkers Arts, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 456.

There is a ribbon cutting this Friday, Nov. 14, starting at 6:30 p.m. The address is 578 Nepperhan Ave. in Yonkers and it is open to the public.

To learn how you can get involved, click here: https://putnam-ny.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPageID=0&nPreviewInd=0&nRedirectInd=3