Featuring:
Toys4Joys founder Dr. James Rifino '91 • Holiday Gift Guide 2020 • UAlbany Magazine Holiday Greeting
Giving Joy
by Paul Miller
It looks like a Hollywood movie set: A towering Christmas tree, two stories tall, radiates a festive glow over hundreds of new toys of every size, shape, and color imaginable. A wall-sized video projection of a crackling fireplace envelopes the room as massive snowflakes of light dance across the floor. Plump human-sized teddy bears serve as cuddly sentries. A line of fire-engine red wagons, bursting with more gifts, hangs in mid-air as if about to break through the ceiling to deliver holiday cheer. But this is no cinematic charade; this is the annual Toys4Joys gift gala, a glittering affair dreamed up by UAlbany alumnus, Dr. James Rifino '91. "It's cool and it's challenging every year," says Rifino, who along with his husband, Harry Pihl, leads the nonprofit that provides holiday presents for children who might otherwise go without them throughout Boston and the state of Massachusetts.
"It's about making sure that these kids know that there is someone out there that cares for them." – James Rifino '91
What distinguishes Toys4Joys from other similar nonprofits (aside from the inventive and elegant annual party which Pihl directs) is that the donated gifts stay entirely local to the children of Massachusetts. Over the last dozen years, the organization has collected more than 30,000 new toys and distributed them to children through more than a half dozen partner charities, such as Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, a nonprofit that offers affordable housing, education, and arts programs. “Here at IBA, we work to celebrate and honor our community’s Latino heritage," said Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, IBA's CEO. "Three Kings Day is a significant holiday in Latin American countries. For many families, this is the only opportunity for their children to receive gifts. [Toys4Joys] donations have provided a needed gift for a child and enabled families to share in the holiday spirit with their neighbors while celebrating an important part of their cultural heritage.”
For Milagros Peña, the onsite coordinator at the Tierney Learning Center which serves some 300 families in South Boston, Rifino's organization provides much more than toys. ""He donates toys, but he doesn't know the impact that this brings," she explained by phone. " We open a door to find more resources for those parents. Education. Food services. Medical help. It's beautiful. It's changing the life of a family."
What started as an alternative to a housewarming party in 2002 grew into something that even the super-achieving Rifino (an ER physician, real estate agent, and nonprofit leader) couldn't imagine. "I just thought it was going to be something fun to do while we could give back to the community and do a holiday party at the same time," Rifino said. "So many people came together to grow the idea into something much bigger than themselves."
The notion of "community" is core to the all-volunteer organization comprised, early on, of mostly members from the LGBT community. Rifino recalled that there was initial hesitation to promote that the gifts were coming from the LGBT community due to open discrimination and the fear that some parents would reject their philanthropy, leaving a child toyless. Ultimately, the group set aside the concern and have since proudly promoted the impact they're making in the wider community. Their success has attracted high-profile corporate sponsors with brands ranging from Gucci to Tito's Handmade Vodka.
Due to COVID-19, the popular Toys4Joys gala will not be held this year. Instead, they are conducting a $40,000 fundraising campaign to purchase gifts for children in local foster systems, homeless shelters, and other social organizations. Tito's has pledged a $10,000 matching gift towards the fundraising goal which Dr. Rifino hopes they'll hit. "Every penny that we raise this year will be spent on toys and gifts."
When asked what gift he received as a child that brought him joy, Rifino laughed. "If I remember, I think an Atari—which I'm sure nobody would ever know what that is today!" The former president of UAlbany's 5Quad volunteer ambulance service added that if the universe could give him a gift today, he'd like it to be "the gift of equality, peace and love for a lot of people that right now don't feel it. I think we need some of that."
Toys4Joys is accepting donations through mid-December at their website https://toys4joys.org/donate.
'Tis the season! It's our first-ever Great Danes Gift Guide showcasing products and services from UAlbany entrepreneurs worldwide. Check out this diverse list to discover gift ideas that fit your style and celebrate the season while supporting your fellow Great Danes.
Note: UAlbany Magazine does not receive compensation for anything listed in the gift guide and a listing does not imply endorsement. The gift guide is for informational purposes only.
#1. DIFF Charitable Eyewear
Give the gift of sight while looking stylish. DIFF sells fashionable, handcrafted designer sunglasses, blue light-blocking glasses, and prescription eyeglasses. Every pair of DIFFS purchased helps provide eye exams, eyeglasses, medicine or surgery to someone in need.
Zach Gordan ’12, Co-Founder, DIFF Charitable Eyewear
#2. Truvani plant based protein powder
Truvani is a purveyor of an array health and food products ranging from essential vitamins to a variety of protein powers which are certified organic and created without unnecessary additives, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Vanilla is their best-selling flavor!
Derek Halpern ’06, Co-Founder, Truvani
#3. kanti likuid gold luxury glo oil
Are you ready to glo? If so, then this moisturizing facial oil may be just what you want. Developed to address the specific skin care needs of people of color, it boasts of antioxidants and fatty acids to help your skin shimmer like gold.
Keamone Frederick ’15, Co-Founder & CEO, kanti
#4. The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters
Bestselling author Mark Nepo '80 is hailed as "one of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People' and is a frequent guest on Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul Sunday televison show. His latest book lays out a path of inspiration towards transformation.
#5. Blankets of Hope
Warmth and hope. That's what's behind this educational nonprofit helping students practice empathy by donating blankets--paired with a handwritten note--to those experiencing homelessness. Learn more and join this 'Movement of Kindness.'
Nick Fiorito ’14, Co-Founder, Blankets of Hope