RED LION, Pa. — More than 40 volunteers were going through rolls of wrapping paper, as people participated in the Building Bridges for Brianna Toy Drive.
The annual toy drive aims to help families struggling with depression and anxiety during the holiday season.
“We try to find that hurdle and either go over it, under it, or around it," said Matt Dorgan, the founder and president of Building Bridges for Brianna.
Dorgan said much of that holiday stress for a lot of families comes from being able to afford Christmas gifts. A recent US and World Report survey showed that 68% of Americans worried about having enough money to pay for gifts this year.
“These presents that they are getting here today might be the only thing that family gets to open up," said Dorgan. "But the families and the parents care about their kids that much that they’re willing to ask for help.”
Last year, Bridges for Brianna gave toys to 134 kids during the holiday season. This year, the organization collected enough toys to help more than 300 kids across south-central Pennsylvania.
Amber Dorgan, the nonprofit's co-founder, said they will be assisting a total of 86 families. She added that people from across the region reached out to either donate toys or wrap presents.
“We’re just trying to keep them from not getting paper cuts," said Amber Dorgan. “They don’t want the kids to wake up on Christmas morning and not have anything, and for the parents to be struggling.”
With each roll of wrapping paper, people are bringing Christmas joy and easing holiday stress.
“If you need help, we’re going to do our best to get you that help," said Matt Dorgan.