Riley Duffy, 10, is one of 51 teenagers in the nation to be honored with the title, Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador. Duffy is working with Monroe County Toys for Tots to collect, sort, and distribute toys for children in need.
Riley’s job is to go shopping for toys and sort all the toys by age. She also is in charge of posting updates on Monroe County TFT Facebook and National Marines TFT Facebook pages and attending events that are held. They hold monthly Zoom meetings for all the youth ambassadors as well.
Riley says, “Being able to help kids who are less fortunate than others has always been something I’ve enjoyed doing and I’ve been helping with Toys for Tots for a while now.” She will also hold this role forever.
Duffy has been involved in Toys for Tots for the last three years. She first started at the Toy Sorting Event. At the Toy Sorting Event, she got to sort toys by age and choose toys for the Salvation Army and Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network.
After only her first year of volunteering, Duffy was asked by John Dixon, Toys for Tots leader, if she was willing to hold the Toys for Tots banner. She has held the banner for both local Saint Patrick’s Day and Veterans Day parades.
John Dixon nominated Riley for many reasons. Riley and her family are always willing to donate their time and money to charity. Riley is also willing to help with anything at any time when anyone asks.
Being a Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador does not only come with the great feeling of helping those in need, it also comes with some fun trips. Riley’s mother, Jennifer Duffy, states “She attends many of the Toys for Tots benefits including a concert at the Sherman Theatre and a Karate Tournament this weekend. Riley has been on the radio to promote Toys for Tots.”
If you are interested in requesting toy donations for your family or donating toys online or in person, here is the official Toys for Tots link.