Over 300 families will have gifts under the tree this year thanks to the work of the Red Stocking Fund.

The Island group provides gifts to children of families in need, including toys and necessities such as clothing and school supplies. This year, backpacks have been added to the list of items available to help families who have to move frequently due to the Vineyard’s housing crisis.

“We’ve added backpacks to our application because we realized a lot of our families don’t have stable housing and have to move around,” said co-chair Sandy Joyce.

The Red Stocking Fund dates back to 1938, when Addie Crist and her friends knitted red stockings to fill with toys and something to eat for Island children. The mission has continued for 86 years, and became The Red Stocking Fund,​ Inc. in 1986.

Although the focus has remained the same, needs have changed over the decades. In addition to backpacks, the Red Stocking Fund now offers dental hygiene kits to everyone alongside toys, clothing and books.

“We want Christmas to be fun, kids do get some toys, but we’re also trying to always think about ways we can be most helpful to families,” Ms. Joyce said.

Unstable housing also impacts the type of toys given to families.

“We know that we need to make sure when we pick toys, that they are able to be smaller so they can move,” said co-chair Susie Wallo.

Red Stocking Fund began in 1938. — Ivy Ashe

The fund used to provide food vouchers, but as more programs across the Island joined together to address food insecurity, the Red Stocking Fund’s focus has shifted to make the best use of its money. Ms. Wallo and Ms. Joyce pointed to the Island Food Pantry and Serving Hands as prime examples of filling the food needs.

“We felt that we would focus on what wasn’t readily available to people....It’s all this clothing that’s really expensive.” said Ms. Joyce.

She added that because the group relies on donations, it is important to focus funds on where they will have the most impact.

While the clothing is purchased using monetary donations, toys are collected through drop-off locations around the Island and events such as the Edgartown Patrolman’s Association’s stuff-a-bus toy drive. The patrolman’s association will be accepting toys on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Christmas in Edgartown and at the department.

Officer Zach Townes started the stuff-a-bus event around five years ago after reaching out to Ms. Joyce to see how he could help. He brought the idea to the patrolman’s association, which now collect toys every Christmas season.

“It’s really incredible. We pull in more and more every year,” Officer Townes said. “I have always loved Christmas and I hope there are kids getting a better Christmas because of what we are doing.”

Each child is assigned a number so that the process is completely anonymous. From there, the children’s sizes, ages, wishes and other relevant information are written onto index cards to be given to shoppers. The shoppers buy clothing on Island, which makes returns easier.

Some families are sponsored by businesses or by groups of friends. This year, there are almost 50 sponsors. The needs of the other families are met through a network of volunteers.

Once all the gifts are collected, they are brought to Saint Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. There, all of the items are sorted for each child to be collected by their families.

“Part of the reward is seeing there are angels everywhere,” Ms. Joyce said. “Angels come out of the woodwork to ask what can they can do, how can they help.”

For more information about The Red Stocking Fund, visit theredstockingfund.org.