Recycling Christmas Joy: Gift giveaway embodies spirit of the season
Recycled Percussion, a band known for its dedication to giving back, made this Christmas extra special for hundreds of children in the Manchester area.
MANCHESTER, NH – Recycled Percussion, a band known for its dedication to giving back, made this Christmas extra special for hundreds of children in the Manchester area.
Band leader Justin Spencer rallied a group of volunteers who assembled Christmas Eve to help distribute gifts and toys to local families by describing his own experience growing up. He said life as a trailer park kid meant he didn’t have much, but thanks to his parents, “we always knew Christmas was gonna happen.”
Having found professional success in the entertainment circuit following a stint on America’s Got Talent, Spencer and Ryan Vezina have recreated themselves several times over, including a Vegas residency, a TV show called “Chaos and Kindness,” and their notorious pop-up concerts and giveaways. For the past 16 years that philanthropic urge has extended through Christmas, organizing a statewide toy drive that culminates with moments like the one that played out Tuesday.
This year, the toy giveaway was announced on social media with a hint of mystery, as the location was kept secret until the day of the event. At 11 a.m., the group revealed the address via a live broadcast, directing families to 175 Canal Street.
By noon, hundreds of people had gathered, waiting for the distribution to begin. The event, based entirely on the honor system, had no requirements—anyone in need of gifts for their children were welcome to attend.
When the doors opened, attendees were given large plastic bags and invited to choose three gifts per child, along with as many board games and books as they wanted. People moved through the aisles of gifts, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for the unexpected support. One woman, who had recently suffered an injury, lost her job, and had nothing for her two children, shared that when she saw the Facebook post, she believed it was a Christmas miracle. She was overcome with emotion as she walked through the event.
Carol Robidoux contributed to this report.
