DAYTON — With the pandemic causing hardship for many Ohio families, bringing Christmas joy may be a challenge this year for families who are struggling to make ends meet.

One Dayton organization is asking the community to make Christmas magical this year.

East End Community Services is operating a secret Santa toy drive called The Neighborly Christmas Project.

The idea started through a CARES Act grant with the community action partnership to address food access needs in East Dayton. During the course of the year, the five outreach team drivers identified 100 families who may need help making Christmas special.

Now, the organization is accepting unwrapped toys for kids ranging in age from newborns to 17.

Healthy Food Access Coordinator Libby Freeze said they are about one-third of the way to their goal, but want to help as many families as they can.

“We have a lot of families that have had a hard time this year, more so than usual,” Freeze said. “This will just help everyone add joy to their season. It’s really fun to give gifts to others and receive them and I think it makes the season a little bit more magical.”

She said the gifts don’t have to be expensive, in fact, they prefer if the gifts donated can be less than $25.

“These kids will really love anything that you are able to send their way and it will make their Christmas mornings a lot happier,” she said.

Some gift idea examples are board games, dolls, or sports equipment.

The toys are being accepted at East End Community Services in Dayton until Dec. 10. Then the toys will be delivered to the families secretly so the children can be surprised on Christmas.

For more information on the toy drive call East End Community Services at 937-259-1898 and toys may be dropped off at 624 Xenia Ave. in Dayton.