25 years of bringing Christmas joy to underprivileged children across Greater Manchester
No child should wake up without a gift on Christmas morning. The Blue Angels foundation is a local children’s charity dedicated to putting toys into the hands of underprivileged children across Greater Manchester every Christmas. For over 25 years, we’ve worked with schools, community groups and local supporters to bring a little magic to families who need it most.
Upcoming Events
Purse Bingo
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Army & Navy Club
1090 Main Street, Manchester CT
Blue Angels Foundation Merchandise
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of bringing Christmas joy to underprivileged children by purchasing one of our special edition sweatshirts.
Support our work to bring joy to the children of Greater Manchester by purchasing one of our Blue Angels T-shirts
Purchase a baseball cap to support the work of The Blue Angels Foundation. Available in men’s and women’s styles.
Be part of the team and support the work of The Blue Angels Foundation by purchasing one of our traditional sweatshirts!
Fundraising and Support
Every toy and every dollar raised helps us reach more children who might otherwise wake up to an empty Christmas morning. Your participation can bring real joy to families right here in Manchester, CT and the surrounding communities. We provide many ways that you can participate.
Ways You Can Show Your Support
There are many simple, meaningful ways to help The Blue Angels Foundation bring Christmas magic to children in Manchester, CT:
Host or Support a Toy Drive: Partner with us through your business, school, church, or community group by collecting new, unwrapped toys, books, and games for children 12 and under.
Make a Cash Donation: Monetary gifts help us fill gaps in toy donations, especially for older children and specific age groups, and cover essential event and program costs.
Attend Our Events: Join us at fundraisers like Comedy Night, purse bingo, and other community events. Your ticket, participation in raffles, and donations all go directly to supporting local families.
Purchase and Donate Toys: Individually or as a family, shop for age-appropriate toys and drop them at one of our designated collection sites. Every toy is one more smile on Christmas morning.
Provide Raffle or Auction Prizes: Local businesses can donate gift cards, services, gift baskets, or products for our raffles and silent auctions, helping us raise additional funds while showcasing community partners.
Each act of support—big or small—helps us reach more children and reminds them that their community cares.
Choose Your Support
Events: Bringing Our Community Together
Throughout the year, Blue Angels Foundation hosts local events that bring people together while raising toys & funds.
Here are some examples of events our supporters have enjoyed:
Holiday Toy Drives - Local businesses, schools, and community groups have hosted toy drives where families drop off new, unwrapped toys, books and games. These drives help us reach children of all ages and make sure no one is forgotten at Christmas.
Purse Bingo Nights - Fun, lively evenings where guests enjoy bingo games with the chance to win designer or themed handbags. Ticket sales and raffles from these events help us purchase toys for age groups that are often missed, especially older kids and teens.
Comedy Night - A night of laughs that changes lives featuring local talent taking the stage for an evening of fun, alongside raffles with great local prizes and silent auctions featuring gift baskets, experiences, and more.
Local community organizations and businesses play a huge role in helping Blue Angels reach children in Manchester. Hosting a toy drive is a simple, powerful way to make a difference where you live and work. To register your toy drive or ask a question email: Theblueangelsfoundation@gmail.org
Follow our link to Amazon and donate toys from our wish list based on requests we have received.
Who We Are…
More than twenty years ago, what is now The Blue Angels Foundation began as a simple idea: to bring a little Christmas magic to the youngest residents of our town and to show them that their community truly cares.
In 2001, that idea became a reality when The Blue Angels Foundation was founded as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) by Bernie Hallums, a now retired Manchester Police Department officer, together with a dedicated group of community members. Having served his community for over 35 years, Bernie has always believed that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated—especially during the holidays.
From the very beginning, the mission was clear: to host a joyful holiday celebration with food, activities, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and gifts for children aged 12 and under. At our first event, 18 families attended, totaling 75 people. It was small, heartfelt, and full of the spirit that still guides us today.
Fast forward to today, and that small gathering has grown into a large-scale community effort. We currently support over 200 families and approximately 800 children at our holiday event.
In 2014, we deepened our impact by partnering with the Manchester Police Department to provide additional Christmas Day deliveries. These now reach, on average, 150 more children each year—children who might otherwise go without gifts during the holiday season.
Our success has always depended on the generosity and kindness of our community:
Donors who give toys at local drives
Supporters who attend our fundraisers
Neighbors and businesses who contribute cash and gift cards
Community partners who sponsor drives and help spread the word
You are the reason we can continue this work. At The Blue Angels Foundation, our holiday season is made brighter by the smiles of the children we serve and the unwavering support of people like you. Our community supporters are the quiet heroes behind every wrapped gift, and every moment of holiday magic.
From Bernie, our volunteers, and everyone at The Blue Angels Foundation: Thank you for standing with us, year after year.
Follow us on social
@theblueangelsfoundationofmanchester
