The Convoy of Hope, powered by Dunkin’, will hit the road to deliver holiday cheer in Albany, Cobleskill, Oneonta, Bainbridge and Binghamton on December 7
Clifton Park, NY; – The Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign today announced new distribution plans for the 2019 holiday season which will expand the reach of the annual program as it delivers thousands of toys and winter coats to children in need throughout upstate New York.
The Convoy of Hope, powered by Dunkin’, will hit the road on Saturday, December 7 to deliver toys to children in the Capital Region before traveling through the Mohawk Valley and concluding in the Southern Tier.
The Convoy of Hope, powered by Dunkin’, will kick off its journey by making a special delivery to children in Albany at the University at Albany campus, marking the first time that the Toys for Tots program has made a stop in the state capital.
The convoy will go on to deliver toys at State University of New York campuses in Cobleskill, Oneonta and Binghamton. The holiday convoy will also make a special stop in Bainbridge.
The new model is designed to replicate the successful holiday convoy which ran through the North Country this past weekend and replaces the traditional Toys for Tots train with numerous tractor trailers carrying thousands of toys.
“Dunkin’ is thrilled to help bring the spirit of the holidays to children in need by supporting the tremendous efforts of the Marines who spearhead the Toys for Tots campaign,” said Eric Stensland, integrated marketing manager for Dunkin’. “We are honored to provide our support and absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Convoy of Hope as it makes it inaugural run from Albany to Binghamton.”
The convoy will be led by a police escort from local law enforcement officials in each town along its journey, including the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and State University of New York police departments. Dozens of volunteers will be transported on passenger buses, courtesy of Upstate Transit of Saratoga, alongside the trucks to help deliver toys and coats at each stop to local non-profit organizations.
“We appreciate the continued support and dedication from our community partners, who have stepped up once again to keep our annual toy delivery campaign running this holiday season. While the delivery mechanism is changing, we are wholeheartedly committed to bringing cheer to children throughout New York,” said Marine Gunnery Sgt. (Ret) Albert Roman, local coordinator of the Capital Region Toys for Tots campaign. “The holiday season is all about giving back and the generosity of our community partners, such as Dunkin’ and numerous other organizations, is a true example of the holiday spirit.”
The official 2019 Convoy of Hope schedule is as follows (all times are approximate):
Saturday, December 7: Convoy of Hope, powered by Dunkin’
9:13-9:58 a.m. University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany
10:48-11:23 a.m. SUNY Cobleskill, 106 Suffolk Circle, Cobleskill
12:03-12:38 p.m. SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta
1:13-1:48 p.m. General Clinton Park, 2507 Hinkley Lane, Bainbridge
2:29-3:04 p.m. Binghamton University, 4400 Vestal Parkway, Binghamton
Since 2009, the annual Toys for Tots holiday campaign has been bolstered by the support of Dunkin’, which has donated $320,000 to the program over the past 11 years. Dunkin’ will also donate the use of a tractor trailer for the Saturday expedition and provide hot cocoa and baked goods at each stop.
Capital Region Toys for Tots receives additional support from a number of companies and organizations throughout the greater Capital Region, including Alpin Haus, Auto Solutions, DeNooyer Chevrolet, iHeart Media, Robert’s Towing & Recovery, SEFCU, Seymour’s Motorized Sports, Sondra’s Fine Jewelry and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
The Marines will work with more than 200 community agencies to distribute toys this holiday season and will be equipped to serve 200,000 children.
The Capital Region Toys for Tots Foundation operates annually from October 1 through December 23. The campaign covers areas within the following Upstate New York counties: Albany, Broome, Clinton, Essex, Fulton, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington and Warren. For more information, visit https://albany-ny.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx.