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P2P Continues Holiday Toy Store Tradition In Lower Fairfield County

DARIEN, Conn. -- Folks in lower Fairfield County are welcomed to partner with Person-to-Person, to help bring brighter holidays to kids and relieve a little of the holiday stress for local families.

A youngster happily displays his Dr. Seuss and Candy Land, and even little ones came to browse, at last year's Holiday Toy Drive.

A youngster happily displays his Dr. Seuss and Candy Land, and even little ones came to browse, at last year's Holiday Toy Drive.

Photo Credit: Person-to-Person Facebook
Volunteers prepare the Holiday Toy Store in 2015.

Volunteers prepare the Holiday Toy Store in 2015.

Photo Credit: Person-to-Person Facebook
A volunteer prepares the infant and toddler toys for the 2015 event.

A volunteer prepares the infant and toddler toys for the 2015 event.

Photo Credit: Person-to-Person Facebook
Here's the games section from last year's Holiday Toy Store.

Here's the games section from last year's Holiday Toy Store.

Photo Credit: Person-to-Person Facebook
Shoppers display their selections from the 2015 Holiday Toy Store.

Shoppers display their selections from the 2015 Holiday Toy Store.

Photo Credit: Troy Ellen Dixon
Volunteers also wrapped the gifts after shoppers selected their kids' gifts.

Volunteers also wrapped the gifts after shoppers selected their kids' gifts.

Photo Credit: Person-to-Person Facebook

This is the 21st year P2P is hosting its Holiday Toy Store. The nearly 50-year-old nonprofit has offices in Darien and Norwalk and its service area includes Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton.

The agency organizes new, donated toys and books according to age, and P2P clients can "shop" for their children -- one free toy and book per child, plus a board game, for the whole family.

P2P invites clients to the event, gauging those most in need by the services used throughout the year. The event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8, in the community center of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, in Darien. 

"With the support of a dedicated volunteer organizing committee, scores of volunteers and countless generous donors, more than 2,100 children will have a holiday that is merry and bright," said Director of Volunteers Janet King.

The event is "one of the most fulfilling, enjoyable and engaging programs at P2P," she added.

The agency is collecting new, unwrapped toys, books and board games, for kids from birth to 15. You can either drop them off one of the P2P offices -- at 76 S. Main St. in Norwalk or 1864 Post Road in Darien -- or set up a remote donation drive of your own.

Call King at 203-621-0683 or Susan Zelman at 203-621-0703 for more information.

You can also donate gifts to the drive online, using an Amazon.com wish list, here.

The planned donation deadline is Friday, Dec. 2, but P2P also collects these items throughout the year, for this event.

"P2P is always grateful for the enormous generosity of the community and the act of giving is so very fulfilling," King added. "Given the challenges and anxiety in the daily lives of P2P clients, the Toy Store creates holiday cheer -- because nothing is more heart-warming and encouraging than the smile of a child."

You can also donate to the agency online at any time, using this website.

For more information about P2P and its initiatives throughout the year, visit its website or Facebook page.

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