MARBLEHEAD — The season of giving is here, and Marblehead’s Curt Havens is doing his part by holding the first annual Michael J. Havens Toy Drive to commemorate his brother Michael Havens.
Michael Havens carried on the toy drive for many years, now Curt Havens has taken it into his own hands to ensure the local children wake up on Christmas morning with presents to open. Michael Havens was a loving brother, son, husband, and friend to those around him, and he will forever be remembered as such.
When Michael Havens passed, the toy drive stopped functioning, but this year, Curt Havens and fellow co-owners of The Beacon, Johnny Ray and Edgar Alleyne, thought it was time to bring it back to life.
The toy drive will be open until Dec. 12, when there will be a Toy Drive event at The Beacon. The event will include raffles, live music, food, and more for all attendees. The raffle will offer various prizes, including Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots tickets, hotel stays, and restaurant gift cards. The live music will come from a personal favorite of Havens, Funbucket.
Curt Havens also mentioned in the early afternoon of Dec. 12, Santa will be in attendance at The Beacon for children and families to come by for take photos.
Following the day of the event, the Marblehead Fire Department will assist in distributing all the toys received. A member of the fire department will arrive at the Beacon in a fire truck ensuring there will be plenty of room for the hundreds of toys.
There are currently numerous toy drive boxes around Marblehead, specifically at The Beacon, Warwick Cinema, Shubie’s, Mud Puddle Toys, Gerry 5, the VFW, Marblehead Children’s Center, and the Council on Aging. Those who donate at Mud Puddle Toys will also receive a discount on the goods donated.
Curt Havens expressed his overwhelming joy and gratitude for those who have participated thus far. With a goal of getting 500 toys, they are on their way as Curt Havens said the boxes have been filling fast around town.
“My heart is really full,” Curt Havens said, while talking about the event and what it does for him, the community, and those in need.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12 at The Beacon with musical guest Funbucket coming on at 8 p.m.
For those who are unable to attend the event, or unable to drop off gifts in Marblehead, Havens encourages to donations to be made using this link: https://thebeaconmarblehead.com/toy-drive-1.
