Valentine’s Toy Express Collects Hundreds Of Toys – But Needs Remain
- Robin Michel
- Dec 11, 2025
- 3 min read
On the morning of December 1, Southington resident Diana Sheard put on her hot pink wig, white makeup, red dot nose, big floppy shoes and – because it was a special occasion – her pink velvet dress. By the time she walked out her door, she had become Valentine the Clown. She was a woman on a mission, one that couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of dozens of like-minded volunteers and hundreds of generous donors.
For the next six hours, she and her crew of elves as Valentine’s Toy Express stopped at 26 businesses and schools to pick up piles of toys of every kind, for every age, slated for Southington Community Services. The gifts were sorted at First Baptist Church of Southington and delivered to secure locations. The toys will augment the gifts donated through the Angel Tag program for individuals assisted by community services. Some of the other items will be used for other occasions during the year.
Cheryl Lesniewski, a first-time volunteer, said she was amazed at how smoothly everything went. She was especially impressed by the involvement of the students who conducted drives at the schools, feeling it important for young people to learn how to help others. “I will definitely do this again,” she said.
Sheard, who founded her Toy Express in 2018, said she is always moved by the generosity toward children. However, there is also a need for gifts for senior citizens: robes, stamps, grocery gift cards, towels, sheets and hygiene products.
This month alone, SCS will provide holiday food for 659 families or 1,020 individuals; and gifts to 680 families or 1,071 individuals, according to Janet Mellon, community services director. The needs are always changing – existing clients and new families seek food, clothes or household items, some are concerned about the impact of cuts to the SNAP program, while others want help in paying energy bills. In addition, SCS also recently hosted two holiday parties, one for senior citizens.
One of the biggest challenges is purchasing food items, including meats, that are unavailable through Connecticut Foodshare. “You can’t get everything from Foodshare,” Mellon explained. If people wish to help SCS at any time of year, grocery store cards and checks made out to Friends of Southington Community Services are always a good bet. If checks are made out directly to SCS, they must be processed by the town before the funds are available. People are encouraged to call the office to see what is currently the biggest need.
To contact SCS, call the office at (860) 628-3761 weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or stop by 91 Norton St. in the Plantsville section of Southington.
Mellon said it is the generosity of residents, organizations and businesses that makes it possible for SCS to continue helping neighbors in need, regardless of the season.
