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"It's really big — and it's getting bigger every year," said Mary Fleming, a bartender at Archie Moore's in Fairfield.
Fleming became aware about a decade ago that children staying in the Stamford homeless shelter often didn't get Christmas gifts. That spurred her into action
"I decided that I know so many people working here for so long that I thought I could probably raise enough toys to help out," she said.
It was a huge success — and gave her more than enough toys for the shelter. Fleming was able to donate toys to the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood in Bridgeport under the leadership of Sister Theresa Tremblay. Fleming also donates stuffed animals to the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital.
Most of the toys are donated at Archie Moore's, with the vast majority dropped off during a night devoted to the drive every year.
This year the event will be held Dec. 10 at Archie Moore's with the What Up Funk Band performing. Fleming's husband, Jamie Sappelli, is the band's drummer. She said the band's popularity drives up the donations.
Money raised during the event is also contributed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Fleming said.
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