That’s why Stuff the Bus matters so much.

The 19th Annual A to Z Indoor Comfort Stuff the Bus Toy Drive, presented by Human Technologies and Indium Corporation, is officially underway, and we’re asking Central New York to help make Christmas a little brighter for local families.

Last year, our community helped more than 14,000 children across the Mohawk Valley. That’s 14,000 kids who got to experience some holiday happiness because their neighbors cared enough to help.

And this year, the need is even greater.

Nearly Two Decades of Helping Local Kids

Stuff the Bus started back in 2008 through Roser Communications, KISS-FM, Bug Country, TALK! 100.7 FM and WKTV NewsChannel 2.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of toys have been collected, and something we’re especially proud of is that every single toy stays right here in the Mohawk Valley.

We’re talking about children in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Otsego, Fulton and Montgomery counties.

The toys go to dozens of local organizations, including The House of the Good Shepherd, ICAN, Rome Rescue Mission, The Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities and many others.

These organizations work directly with families who could use a little extra help during the holidays.

There Are Plenty of Ways to Help

You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to make a difference.

Pick up a new, unwrapped toy while you’re shopping. Make a monetary donation and we’ll purchase toys requested by our charity recipients. You can even shop our Amazon Wish List and have toys shipped directly to us.

Businesses, schools and community groups can organize their own toy drives, too. The deadline to apply to host an internal toy drive is November 18.

And if money is tight, volunteering your time is another wonderful option. We need people to help organize toys, assist at donation locations and spread the word.

Even following @StufftheBusCNY on social media helps us reach more people.

Come See Us at a Stuff the Bus Stop

We’ll be traveling throughout the Mohawk Valley collecting toys, and we’d love to see you!

Our upcoming stops include ALLFleet Towing & Repair in Dolgeville on November 13, Boscov’s at Sangertown Square on November 14, and Believe, A Magical Christmas Festival in New Hartford on November 21.

We’ll also visit Price Rite in Utica, Nimey’s Riverside Automotive in Yorkville, Passalacqua & Associates in Utica, Zipp Hardware in Dolgeville, My Farm Source in Fort Plain and Cliff’s Local Market in New York Mills.

Plus, our annual Olde Wicker Mill Campout returns to the New Hartford Shopping Center December 7 through 11, from 7 AM until 7 PM each day.

Find the complete schedule at Stuff the Bus Stops, or make a monetary donation here.

You might think one toy isn’t much.

But to the child opening it on Christmas morning, it could mean everything.