12th Annual Tower of Toys will be collecting new unwrapped gifts during Dec. 2 parade

Tower of Toys annual toy drive for those in need happens because of its dedicated sponsors and supporters. From left, Brian Lawrence, Carol Lawrence-Ericksen, Laurie Lawrence, Amanda Wihby, Larry Thibodeau, George Lawrence and Ami D’Amelio of Just Flow Marketing & Events. Courtesy Photo

MANCHESTER, NH – The 12th Annual Tower of Toys initiative is gearing up for another successful season of giving, in the final push for collecting toys and funds to make sure all children in the city have a joyful holiday.

This year there will be refreshments served outside the Beacon Building at 814 Elm St. during the annual Holiday Parade where you can stop by for some holiday cheer and drop off a new unwrapped gift. The parade kicks off at 4 p.m. following the Santa Shuffle road race.

This year donations will be distributed to:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Manchester
  • Dover Children’s Home
  • Friends of Aine
  • Friends of Forgotten Children
  • My Turn
  • Nashua Children’s Home
  • New Generation
  • Roca Kidz Club
  • Spaulding Academy & Family Services
  • Walk with a Child
  • Webster House
A small sampling of some of the gifts donated to last year’s Tower of Toys. Courtesy Photo

Individuals and businesses are invited to participate by providing donations until Thursday, December 14, in one of the following ways:

  • Deliver donations to the Beacon Building Atrium at 814 Elm Street in Manchester.
  • Order gifts online and ship them directly to the Red Arrow Diner Corporate Offices, 814 Elm Street, Suite 102, Manchester, 03101.
  • Online monetary donations are welcome and can be used toward tax deductions. Please visit www.facebook.com/toweroftoysnh for a PayPal link or QR code.

In addition, 10 local restaurants are teaming up to support Tower of Toys by promoting the initiative and asking their customers to make a donation on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Participating restaurants include

  • Alley Cat Pizza
  • Campo Enoteca
  • The Foundry
  • Hooked Seafood Restaurant and Ignite Bar & Grill
  • Industry East
  • Stash Box
  • Shoppers Pub + Eatery
  • Piccola Ristorante Martini Bar
  • XO Bistro

A celebratory holiday reception will be held at the Beacon Building on Thursday, December 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature refreshments and holiday cheer.

Tower of Toys is sponsored by the Red Arrow Diner, Angels Sewing and Quilting, the Beacon Building, Colliers, Cross Insurance, Dick Pratte Cabinetry, Downdog Flow Yoga & Pilates, Flexecution, Inc., JDS Flooring, Just Flow Events & Marketing, and Marcum.

If you would like to make a monetary donation directly to Tower of Toys, please click here.

If you are shopping for Tower of Toys, please keep in mind the variety of age groups that we serve. Everyone deserves some joy during the holiday season! Check out some of the popular toys and games for 2023.

In 2022 the Tower of Toys initiative collected approximately 1,000 unwrapped children’s toys and raised more than $20,000 to benefit children and families served by local nonprofit organizations. Donations were formed into a toy-filled tower at the Atrium of the Beacon Building at 814 Elm Street for a community open house and then distributed to the following organizations:

  • Dover Children’s Home
  • Friends of Aine
  • Friends of Forgotten Children
  • My Turn
  • Nashua Children’s Home
  • New Generation
  • Roca Kidz Club
  • Spaulding Academy & Family Services
  • Walk with a Child
  • Webster House

For more information, visit https://toweroftoys.org or www.facebook.com/toweroftoysnh.