The DSS Office of Child Support Services (OCSS), in collaboration with the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative, launched its 2^nd Annual “Fill –A – Truck” Toy Campaign on Friday, December 1, 2017. The campaign collected unwrapped toys, books, clothing and other gifts for families in need, to help brighten the holiday season for children.  The campaign concluded on Friday, December 18, 2017 and proved once again to be a huge success as OCSS staff in seven offices statewide (Central Office, New Haven, Greater Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Middletown and Norwich) collected a countless bounty toys and other gifts. All toys collected were distributed to DSS Certified Fatherhood Programs across the state so that those fathers and/or mothers who are participating in programming were able to give their child(ren) a gift this holiday season. Donations were also made to the Interval House, a shelter serving victims of domestic violence, and Hurricane Relief Welcome Centers in Hartford and Waterbury, offering support to those children and families who were displaced and have relocated to the region from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean Islands as a result of recent hurricanes. Thank you to the following OCSS staff who coordinated the effort in each of the offices:

Greater Hartford Regional Office: Benjamin Dakers

Manchester Regional Office: Rosalie Cosme

Middletown Regional Office:  Michael Geathers

New Britain Regional Office: Maria Lopez

Norwich Regional Office: Michelle Pernell

New Haven Regional Office: Jayme P. Watson

Central Office: Michael Hawrylik, David Shonta

I want to offer very special thanks to Benjamin Dakers of the Greater Hartford office for conceiving this wonderful idea!

Thanks also to DSS staff statewide for their kindness and generosity in helping to make this holiday season special for those in need in our communities.  Please follow this link to enjoy a few images from the “Fill –A – Truck” Toy Campaign!