When high school students get together, it is usually fun, frolic and enjoyment. However, eight students have come together to spread joy among underprivileged kids using toys. They have formed a foundation to collect used toys from people and distribute them to various orphanages and among poor children.
The students — Yash Rathod, Advait Shah, Shaamil Karim, Arnav Mardia, Arvind Rathnam, Siddhanth Kumar, Aagney Singh and Vedant Vivek — started the foundation ‘Toy Joy’ 10 days ago, and have already distributed a few toys to orphanages through donors.
The initiative was the brainchild of Yash Rathod. “I was discussing about clearing unused toys with my uncle and father and this idea cropped up. Then I spoke about this to seven of my like-minded friends and they also joined in,” says Yash Rathod, a student of Sishya school.
Those who wish to donate toys, can log on to the website www.toyjoy.org . “They have to fill in a form and provide details such as the address and contact number and the delivery service company we have tied up with will collect the toys and hand then over to orphanages,” adds Yash
Advait Shah, another member of the foundation and student of Sishya, said the initiative would help provide toys to children who cannot afford them.
Plans to expand
“We are planning to extend the initiative to Bangalore after this,” says Yash. Anita John, assistant manager, Dean Foundation, said she initially mistook the team for adults. “They are doing it professionally and it’s a great initiative. I quote the children as an example to my staff,” she adds.
