City of Bristol announces return of Holiday Gift Giving Program for 2022

Posted By: Jack Krampitz November 2, 2022

The City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Department (BPRYCS) has announced the return of the Holiday Gift Giving Program for the 2022 holiday season. The Annual Holiday Gift Giving Program provides assistance to eligible Bristol youth and families during the holiday season. New this year, BPRYCS is partnering with the Bristol Police Department for a “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event, teaming up with local businesses and organizations to have collection boxes stationed around Bristol, and hosting a volunteer wrapping day. 

BPRYCS Community Services Coordinator, Aubrey Minkler, is overseeing the program for the first time, and she reminds community members, “There’s numerous ways to get involved and all donations are distributed locally with gifts provided directly to Bristol families in need of assistance.”

Stuff-A-Cruiser with the Bristol Police Department 

On Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the City of Bristol Police Department will be stationed outside of Walmart, 1400 Farmington Ave., for a ”Stuff-A-Cruiser” event where officers will be accepting donations to benefit the Holiday Gift Giving Program. The goal of “Stuff-A-Cruiser” is to collect new, unwrapped toys for youths up to 18 years of age. All donations are distributed to eligible Bristol residents receiving assistance through the BPRYCS Holiday Gift Giving Program. 

Sponsor a child or family

Individuals and groups are invited to sponsor local youth and families in need of assistance. Sponsors are provided a profile on participating youth that includes age, gender, clothing size, and special interests for shopping guidance.  

Online wish list and collection locations

In addition to the “Stuff-A-Cruiser” event, an online wish list has been established and collection stations will be available for drop-off gift donations. Collection stations will be conveniently set up within businesses around Bristol beginning November 1st. The online wish list provides an easy and convenient way to donate directly to the program. Wish List Donations are shipped directly to the BPRYCS Main Office where they will be wrapped and organized for pick-up. 

Volunteer wrapping event 

BPRYCS is looking for volunteers to help organize and wrap toy donations on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at Page Pool. Interested community members are asked to please sign up at www.BristolRec.com or email parksandrecreation@bristolct.gov. 

Last year, the program supported over 430 youth from 180 families in Bristol with the help of 70 local sponsors and hundreds of individual donations. 

Those looking for assistance this holiday season are asked to fill out the application (available at www.BristolRec.com or in person at 51 High St.) and return it to BPRYCS no later than Friday, Dec. 5. The program application process includes income verification, proof of address, and birth certificate submission.  

Community Engagement Coordinator, Erica Benoit, noted that submitting a Birth Certificate is a new step in the application process this year. “This is such a positive program, we want to keep it honest and this will help ensure that the communities’ generous donations are going to those who could greatly benefit from the assistance,” Benoit remarked. 

For more information on the Holiday Gift Giving Program, the application for assistance, and/or to volunteer, please visit www.BristolRec.com, call us at (860) 314 – 4690, or reach out via email at parksandrecreation@bristolct.gov. 

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