This Black Friday, Evan Huddon will host his fifth annual Toy Drive to benefit those children and teens who won’t have a present to open on Christmas morning. Huddon was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and has held a toy drive each year as a response to all the positivity and helpfulness the Warwick community has shown him. This year’s toy drive will be held at Meadowbrook Lanes in Warwick from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

In prior years, the event was held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. however Huddon wanted to accommodate as many people as possible, so the event’s time-frame was changed. Huddon stated, “It was moved from 12 p.m. to 11 a.m. because it’ll work for other people. It’s Black Friday so people might want to donate and then go black Friday shopping.” All families are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy in exchange for a free game of bowling, and each game of bowling includes free shoe rental, and hot chocolate.

Huddon said, “It all started when my mom asked me, ‘Hey Evan, what do you want for Christmas this year?’ and I said, ‘You know what mom? I want to give back to the community that has helped me so much along the way.’ It’s been growing substantially every year since.”

In 2015, his family desperately needed a new wheelchair accessible van because their old van was starting to give out on them. Thanks to the generosity of the Warwick community, the Huddon’s were able to raise $10,000 of the $48,000 van through a series of events organized by their friends and family.

The toy drive was first held at St. Rita’s Church in Warwick, however due to the overwhelming support and attendance, the drive was moved to Meadowbrook Lanes. “I’m never doing that again.” Huddon stated. “If you look at my church basement it’s very small, and I wanted to fit more people in it. So, what better place to have it than Meadowbrook Lanes? It’s humongous!”

Huddon also said, “I’ve been going to Meadowbrook since I was very little and Robbie Farrell, and I grew very close. Robbie was like ‘Hey Evan, why don’t you just hold it at Meadowbrook?’ So I agreed to it, and we’ve held it there for the past three years.”

Farrell has known the Huddons for 10 years and is also a board member of JONAH (Join Our Neighborhood And Help). He helps this event each year by providing free space and organizing where the toys will go. Two years ago, he helped distribute toys to over 65 families across Warwick and West Warwick.

“I think we got well over 800 toys last year, and I’m going to put a goal of over 1,200 toys for this year.” Huddon said enthusiastically. Although it is recommended for each family to bring a single, unwrapped toy, some families tend to go overboard. Huddon recounted, “Last year a woman named Crystal brought in a trash bag full of toys and her response was ‘I play a lot of arcade games.’” Huddon also suggests that only toys be donated to this event, but stated, “I wouldn’t be surprised if I found clothes by the end.”

According to Huddon, “Close to one thousand people came last year; all the lanes were full.” This included a special guest appearance made by Santa Claus. Huddon also said, “Get ready to have a great time, and I hope to see everyone there.”