At the event, ladies shared in the Christmas spirit by bringing in toy donations and received a free sterling silver permanent jewelry bracelet. More than 75 guests were “linked” as they enjoyed refreshments and filled out their very own Wishlists.

During the event, Toys for Tots Coordinator Terri Constantino-Johnson surprised store owners Kirk and Sharon Frey and presented them with the Jason M. Williams Memorial Toys for Tots Award. Constantino-Johnson shared the inspiration, joy and hope that Williams brought and expressed her appreciation for all Kirk’s Jewelers does for the children in our community.

“We are humbled and grateful to receive this award,” Kirk Frey said. “This achievement would not be possible without the unwavering and overwhelming support of our wonderful staff (Adam Sellari, Colleen Yerico, Carol Jakubowicz and Nancy York) and our amazing community members. Thank you for helping us bring joy to children on Christmas Day and sending a message of hope to children in need. Together, we can make futures shine bright for our children in Chautauqua County.”

According to a Toys for Tots press release, “Sharon and the entire Kirks’ team works diligently each holiday season to collect donations, host drive thru events and generally get the word out to the community of the importance of Toys for Tots. The Dunkirk community knows they are a drop off site and they fill their collections boxes over and over again each year. We are so happy to award the Jason M. Williams Memorial Toys for Tots award to Kirk and Sharon for going above and beyond for the less fortunate children in our community.”

Volunteer Brady Marx is shown with the toys collected during Kirk’s Holiday Event.

Kirk Frey would like to give a special thank you to Toys for Tots Volunteers Lauren Boyle, Brady Marx and Lynne Newman; and Toys for Tots Coordinators Terri Constantino-Johnson, Patrick Smeraldo and Heather Brown. A hard working team that works so diligently every holiday season to bring the magic of Christmas to children in need.

According to Sharon Frey, many Kirk’s Jewelers customers and members of the community continue the tradition of giving and have been very generous with toy and monetary donations. “We have a very special Marine that makes his yearly contribution with the message, ‘Merry Christmas! Semper Fi!’,” she said. The Toys for Tots Program, in its 76th year, was started by the United States Marine Corps.

“It is heartwarming to see so many bringing in toys,” Sharon added. “It brings back memories of what it was like to receive one of those toys. That gift meant the world. It inspired hope, a sense of security and a sense of community. We hope to inspire the next generation to do something great.”

Toy and monetary donations for Chautauqua County Toys for Tots 2023 continue to be accepted at Kirk’s Jewelers through Dec. 17. All toy donations received will be given to local children, keeping the magic of Christmas alive.

Locally, the Toys for Tots program started in 2000, by supporting nine families in need in our area and partnering with the program in the Buffalo area to become a full LCO (Local Community Organization) just a few years later. In 2022, the program was able to provide toys to 4,437 children in 1,634 families in our community.

Chautauqua County Toys for Tots’ annual recognition award was renamed for Williams last year. The organization stated, “Jason was a dedicated Toys for Tots volunteer, friend and family to us. He spearheaded many successful charity events as the MC and performer with his comedy troupe, The Lights of Broadway. Jason could always be counted on to do whatever was needed to support this effort and brought numerous friends and family along the way. Jason passed away unexpectedly in June 2019 and we are forever grateful for his time and talent.”