His smile said it all. Living with his family in an extended-stay hotel, this young boy has faced more challenges in his short life than many adults. When volunteers handed him a bag of toys—including a karaoke machine—his entire face lit up. His mother’s eyes filled with tears as she whispered, “This is the first new toy he’s had in over a year. You don’t know what this means to us.”
This summer, through a partnership with Henrico County Public Schools’ McKinney-Vento division and Toys for Tots, Mercy Mall of Virginia was able to serve 300 children living in housing instability. On July 10, 17, and 24, each child received up to three brand-new toys—thanks to Toys for Tots making toys available outside of the traditional holiday season.
For families crammed into a single room with little more than a couple of beds, toys are often the first thing to disappear. With limited resources and space, “extras” like playthings are rarely possible. Yet toys are essential to childhood—they spark imagination, bring joy, and offer comfort in difficult seasons. We are deeply grateful to the McKinney-Vento Team and Toys for Tots for making this possible, and honored to be a conduit for change and play. These toys were more than gifts; they were a reminder to children that they are seen, loved, and not forgotten as they step into a new school year. #MoreThanAToy2025