A toy to spread joy

A generous group of individuals are rallying to spread merry cheer to children in need through a caring toy collection campaign, writes Mai Al-Khatib Camille.

The annual ‘Festive Toy Drive’ is being run by a group of volunteers working under the unregistered ‘A Box of Goodness’ charity for the eighth year to ensure every child has the gift of love in the form of toys this season.

“This project will benefit both local and expatriate children of all faiths in Bahrain,” said Sri Lankan Malay Miranthi Dole, better known as Miro, who is the founder of A Box of Goodness and the initiative.

“The toys we collect will be shared with less fortunate children and those with learning disabilities in Bahrain, in addition to orphans. We will be accepting toy donations for children aged two to 12 and they should either be new or unused, and unwrapped.

“Last year we collected and distributed more than 200 toys and hope to be able to share more this year.”

Unwrapped toy donations can be dropped off at Level Up Education Centre in Saar, Bahrain Rugby Football Club, St Christopher’s Junior and Senior Schools and at a few other schools and locations until December 20. Interested individuals can message @aboxofgoodness on Instagram for drop off locations in Amwaj Islands, Juffair and Saar.

“Our aim is to spread smiles throughout Bahrain and make as many children feel loved and cherished,” added Miro.

“Sharing our blessings has always been at the core of everything we do at A Box of Goodness and we intend to keep doing more work to make the world a happier and inclusive place for every child.

“Children represent our future and hope, and they must be protected and provided for. It is everyone’s duty in a society to make sure our future generations are loved, protected and cared for.”

Meanwhile, Dana Zubari who runs the popular ladies group Lettuce Run has linked up with Miro and her big-hearted volunteers again to stage the Festive Charity Walk in aid of the toy drive this Saturday (December 2). It will be held at Agora by the Sea deli and bakery, located next to the Athar monument, at the King Faisal Corniche at 8.30am.

“I hope to see all the lovely ladies, it’s an amazing cause and will put so many smiles on these children’s faces,” said the four-time Ironman finisher, entrepreneur and social media influencer.

According to Miro, this is a free, female-only event and the public are also invited to join in for a walk, run or cycle; they only need to bring a donation of a toy.

For the past few years, the charity - which was set up in 2016 and has the support of several embassies, schools, corporations and social clubs - has been helping those in need by running food drives during Ramadan, donating food, toiletries and clothing to the needy during the pandemic, and organising birthday parties with cake and gifts for orphans.

They have also participated in beach clean-ups, collected clothing and linen for donations during winter as well as recyclable material for the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled in Adliya. Funds from the recycling project then went towards purchasing wheelchairs for the needy.

For further details on the charity and event, follow @aboxofgoodness and @lettuce.run on Instagram.