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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – Volunteers will help provide toys and holiday cheer to local families with a drive through shopping experience.
The Salvation Army of Massachusetts is going to host its Annual Christmas Castle at The Salvation Army Boston Kroc Center located in Dorchester. According to Major Marcus Jugenheimer, general secretary of the Massachusetts Division, this will help keep people safe as the pandemic continues to persist ahead of the holiday season.
“Christmas Castle has been the name of the event over many years, but this year it’s being held at our Kroc Community Center where we have the opportunity to provide the service outdoors and keep people safe during this season of Covid.”
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To limit in-person contact, volunteers will direct people dropping off gifts in their cars to the designated loaded area. Their gifts will then be taken out of their vehicle by other volunteers. Jugenheimer said the toys will be distributed starting Tuesday and continue Wednesday.
“Those families coming to pick up the toys can either drive through or walk up so that we can provide the service to them outside in the safest way possible.”
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Overall, Jugenheimer expects the drive to to provide toys to up to 3,000 children.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to kind of be that bridge between the generosity of those who have been abundantly blessed this past year to those who find themselves in need,” Jugeheimer said. “Our volunteers get to stand in that gap and be that bridge to provide that necessary support.”
While the organization is actively trying to follow proper Covid protocols, families in need of social services will still have the chance to speak with a Salvation Army pastor or social worker for support. Anyone interested in volunteering can visiting the Salvation Army’s website.
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