By Andrea Weymouth
KILLINGTON—On Saturday, Dec. 3, Teddy Arbo’s annual Holiday Toy Party celebrated 30 years. The Foundry was alive and filled with holiday spirit as people were eager to bid on the next possible auction items that were so generously donated by multitudes of local Killington businesses and people of the community.
Close to $30,000 dollars was raised Saturday night, reaching the goal set in celebration of the party’s 30 years. This total doesn’t include the truckload of toys that was generously donated for families who need a little help this holiday season. This year’s total nearly tripled last year’s record of close to over $10,000.
Teddy Arbo’s Holiday Toy Party started as a small dinner party in 1986. Since then, it has grown into a wonderful community event, which helps put presents under the trees of Vermont families in need.
All toys and money collected will fund local charities including the Upper Valley Haven, the Rutland County Women’s Network & Shelter, the Dodge House, and the Rutland Open Door Mission.
Teddy Arbo was in awe of the turnout and how much money was raised. “The generosity of the local businesses is overwhelming,” he reflected on Sunday. “The whole Killington community came together from locals to second homeowners to weekend visitors to raise money for an unbelievable cause.”
It was a good way to kick off the holiday season.
Photo by Andrea Weymouth
Live music accompanied Teddy Arbo’s annual Holiday Toy Party this weekend.
