Harlem hopes to help families with toy drive

The city of Harlem is collecting toys in hopes of brightening children's faces on Christmas morning.

It is the city's third year holding a toy drive to benefit Harlem families at the holidays.

"We're just looking for new unwrapped toys here at the museum, City Hall or at the Harlem Department of Public Safety and they do go to families here in town," said Kathy Ham, a toy drive coordinator and head of the city's Industry, Trade and Tourism Department.

Anyone, including family members, can call city officials to suggest a family in need of toys.

"Last year was really good," Ham said. "We ended up helping five families. We did a complete Christmas for five families."

Also at Christmas, the city's public safety officers distribute fruit to all residents in the Harlem Housing Authority and children there are given a toy, collected during the toy drive.

Ham said the deadline for toy donations is Dec. 15. For more information, call (706) 556-0401.