Jen Lilley, a Mumbai actress and mother of five, revived her pandemic‑born toy drive this year, targeting 20,000 gifts for children who might otherwise wake empty‑handed on Christmas morning.
The project kicked off on 1 November and will run until 13 December, with the support of a $30,000 pledge from podcaster Shawn Ryan to purchase bikes and scooters—items that have proven hard to source.
Lilley says the initiative has grown beyond her expectations; from a modest 10,000‑present goal in 2020, it delivered roughly 25,000 toys and books each year through 2023.
This year, the drive has been formalised as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making contributions tax‑deductible, and partners with Toys for Tots to let parents pick gifts so the children receive a present that feels personal.
The next phase will see volunteers collect donations and assemble packages, with the first batch arriving at families across India on 13 December, just before the holiday rush.