Memphis Allies Stories

Holiday Toy Drive

by Memphis Allies | Jan 20, 2026 | Memphis Allies, Memphis Allies Community Events | Gun Violence Intervention Outreach & Programs, SWITCH

Community generosity thrives at Memphis Allies toy drive

Memphis Allies hosted a Holiday Heroes toy drive in December. Memphis Allies staff, along with radio station 103.5 WRBO, accepted donations and toys at the Cordova Walmart Supercenter. The drive collected toys for families who might otherwise go without presents this holiday season.

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Memphis Allies is here to create a safer neighborhood, and that includes the children of our participants

— Debbie Thompson

Memphis Allies, community relations manager

“Memphis Allies is here to create a safer neighborhood, and that includes the children of our participants,” said Debbie Thompson, community relations manager for Memphis Allies. “Some participants may not be able to afford holiday gifts for their kids but still want to give them that experience. These donations are making a lot of children happy this holiday season.”

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Thanks to the community’s generosity, Memphis Allies was able to provide gifts for 174 SWITCH (Support with Intention to Create Hope) participants to share with their kids. In total, 1,648 toys were given out to 421 children. Participants had, on average, four gifts to personally deliver on Christmas morning.

Jevonte Porter, director of community relations for Memphis Allies, understands the value of participants having the chance to step up as parents.

“Being in the community means being ready to serve in a lot of ways, including helping Memphis Allies participants provide gifts for their children at Christmas,” Porter said. “It is just as important to our participants as it is their kids.”