Actress Jen Lilley revives Christmas Is Not Cancelled toy drive
The campaign aims to provide 20,000 presents for children in need with support from podcaster Shawn Ryan.
Actress Jen Lilley is reviving her Christmas Is Not Cancelled toy drive with a goal of providing 20,000 presents for children. According to the Times of India, the campaign began on 1 November and will run until 13 December.
The initiative, which Lilley started during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making donations tax-deductible. The drive works with Toys for Tots and allows parents to choose the gifts themselves.
Podcaster Shawn Ryan has committed a $30,000 donation to the campaign for bikes and scooters. Lilley stated that these specific items are often the hardest to source.
Lilley, a mother of five and child advocate, said the organisation began as a joke during the pandemic after she realised many families might face a cancelled Christmas. She noted that the campaign previously distributed around 25,000 toys and books each Christmas before pausing for two years.
The actress said that bringing the campaign back feels like a Christmas miracle. She added that the arrangement with parents allows them to retain their dignity while their children receive gifts from their parents on Christmas morning.