WESTFORD — Twenty years after two young friends first decided to collect toys for children spending the holidays in hospitals, that simple act of kindness continues to shape a beloved local tradition.
For The Love of Erika returned to Gibbet Hill Grill this past weekend for its annual holiday celebration, welcoming families and volunteers for an afternoon of food, games, gift-giving and a visit from Santa. The event honored the memory of Westford resident Erika Gould, who died from brain cancer at age 7, and marked a milestone year for the nonprofit founded in her name.
The organization began in 2005, when Erika and her best friend, Taylor Leong, collected 75 gifts for hospitalized children. Since then, the effort has grown into a regional toy drive supporting hospitals, shelters and families connected to the Department of Children and Families across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Earlier efforts focused on delivering toys to hospitals and shelters, as well as hosting events at Jump On In locations. Over time, the organization transitioned to hosting holiday celebrations at Gibbet Hill Grill, where the event has been held for the past 10 years.
“It’s always been a family tradition, and it feels like it’s not the holidays without it,” Leong said. “Our garage and dining room are a mess, but it’s really fun.”
Community support has remained a driving force behind the nonprofit’s success. Local schools, scout troops and student organizations continue to play a major role in collecting donations, with students often stepping into volunteer roles at the event itself.
“A lot of the donations come from Westford schools, local community groups and churches. Dee Bus donates toys, and they also help shuttle families to the event,” Leong said.
Organizers begin requesting donations in late October, with most collections taking place in November, Laura Goodman said. Blanchard Middle School has been a significant contributor in past years.
For volunteers such as Lawrence Academy Assistant Dean of Students Kimberly Poulin, the celebration offered a chance to give back in a hands-on way and see the immediate impact of those efforts.
“It wouldn’t be fall if it didn’t involve raising money for the gifts,” Poulin said. “And we wrap all the gifts, too.”
Lawrence Academy fundraises for For The Love of Erika every year. This year, the girls varsity basketball team raised money, purchased gifts and wrapped them for the event. Many of the volunteers assisting with games, activities and event operations were also Lawrence Academy students.
In addition to students, longtime volunteers, neighbors and friends of the organization returned once again to support the celebration. Among them was Groton-Dunstable Regional High School student Addison Kelly, who has volunteered with For The Love of Erika for several years.
“I just think all kids deserve to have a toy on Christmas,” Kelly said. “Thinking about not having that as a little kid just makes me sad.”
Kelly, who has volunteered with the event for four years, helped organize gift collections leading up to the celebration. She collected donations during school lunches for two weeks, set up drop-off buckets for students unable to attend and wrapped all the gifts before the event.
“I think every bit helps,” she said. “It gives families a way to get out, do crafts and let the kids have fun.”
Many of the families who attended came from shelters supported by organizations, including Making Opportunity Count, which works closely with Goodman and Leong to gather information about participating families and help the event run smoothly.
Assistant Director of Program Operations at Making Opportunity Count, Rita Sears, said that the event gave families hope during the holidays.
“The families get a little spark of hope,” she said. “We can give them something at the sites, but pulling them out of the shelter and putting them in a different environment with other families who are in the same situation helps build a sense of community. It helps them feel like they’re not alone and that they can get through this holiday season.”
For Sears, the event is also a chance to connect with families outside her usual role.
“Being able to have a fun event where I don’t have to be in work mode, where I can just enjoy a meal with the families and get to know them on a different level, and they get to know me on a different level, is a beautiful thing,” she said.
This being For The Love of Erika’s 20th year, the founders wanted to do something special for parents as well. Through additional fundraising, the organization provided each parent with a For The Love of Erika mug, hot chocolate, a candy cane stirrer and a gift card.
“But this year, because it’s our 20th year, we wanted to do something a little different,” Goodman said. “We wanted to get something for the parents, too.”
Leong, who is now a child therapist, said her favorite part of the celebration is watching the children enjoy the experience.
“My favorite part is seeing all the kids running around,” she said. “The families can sit at the tables, and the kids are allowed to go off and do fun things with their friends and siblings. After doing this for years, we always have wish lists, but actually seeing the kids receive the presents and how excited they are is what really makes a difference.”
