Community Action receives 300 toys for upcoming holiday season from Pirate Toy Fund

Photos courtesy of Community Action: (Left) From left include Community Action’s Facilities Manager, Ricky Standish; Director of Community Services, Katrina Standish; Pirate Toy Fund Executive Director, Otto Harnischfeger; and Community Action’s Lead Case Manager, Kristina Ettinger.

Press Release, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee Inc. is thrilled to announce the arrival of 300 toys generously donated by the Pirate Toy Fund.

On Tuesday, Community Action staff traveled to Spencerport to collect these toys, which will provide joy and support to children in need during the upcoming holiday season.

The Pirate Toy Fund is the nation’s only nonprofit organization dedicated to providing new toys year-round to agencies that assist children in need. Since its founding in 1995 by beloved children’s entertainer Gary the Happy Pirate and Dave and Lorrie Simonetti, the organization has distributed over 500,000 toys to children across the Greater Rochester area.

Inspired by the extraordinary life of Christie Simonetti, special friend to Gary and daughter of Dave and Lorrie, the Pirate Toy Fund continues to grow and fulfill its mission of spreading joy to children in difficult circumstances.

This year marks the fourth year that Community Action’s Director of Community Services, Katrina Standish, has coordinated the toy donations through the Pirate Toy Fund, a partnership that has significantly impacted the agency’s holiday program. Last year alone, approximately 285 children received toys directly from Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, while another 275 children were adopted by outside agencies, ensuring each child received a gift for the holidays.

“The toys we receive from the Pirate Toy Fund are crucial to the success of our holiday program,” Standish said. “These donations allow us to serve a significant number of children and help us make the holiday season brighter for local families.”

Community Action is deeply grateful for the ongoing support from the Pirate Toy Fund, which allows them to expand their reach and provide comfort and happiness to children who may otherwise go without.