HOLYOKE – Toy collecting has already begun for Nueva Esperanza, Inc.’s 22nd annual Three Kings Day toy drive. They seek to partner with Holyoke and Western Massachusetts organizations to continue this event and are offering tax-deductible sponsorships.

According to their press release, “they have provided over 500 toys and gift cards each year to children of Holyoke.” And this year, their “goal is to collect over 1,000 gifts, ranging from gift cards, unwrapped toys, or monetary donations to provide children ages 4 to 17, in underserved and black and brown communities in Holyoke, with an unwrapped gift.”

Chloe Soto, the community engagement coordinator for Nueva Esperanza Inc., said, “This year, we hope to target the same age of the audience in order to just make sure that everybody gets a little something, especially those that – you know, with the pandemic going on – have some economic problems. We just want to make the holiday a good one.”

She noted, “Three King’s Day is an important cultural event in most Latinx/Puerto Rican households. It is mostly celebrated in Latin countries but also celebrated by many Catholics.”

The drive ends on Dec. 31. and toys will be distributed at their “kickoff event” on Jan. 5, 2022 from 3 to 6 p.m. at El Mercado located at 413 Main St. in Holyoke, just in time for the Three Kings Day celebration on Jan. 6.

Families can sign up their child and/or children to receive a toy or gift card by registering online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgxxNKEO7Dm8g0WlJpagyuni_wIE__ynuWNJ2MUgp84YfKtw/viewform, by calling Nueva Esperanza’s office number 437-7666, or by email at info@nuevaofholyoke.org.

The donation drop-off center is located at Nueva Esperanza Inc. located at 401 Main St., Holyoke.