PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — The holiday season just got a little brighter for dozens of children and families in need. Foster Forward in Pawtucket launched its annual holiday gift drive with support from Hasbro and the R.I. Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). The initiative aims to provide foster families across the state with toys, clothes and pajamas. Nearly 2,000 young Rhode Islanders go through the foster care system each year, according to Foster Forward. Nikki Pascale, a foster mother to three young children in addition to her three biological children, expressed her gratitude. “It is overwhelming, especially when you see other families where each kid has so much stuff," Pascale said. "But when you’re dealing with six kids, you can’t get as much for each child." Foster Forward Executive Director Lisa Guillette thanked Hasbro for donating 10,000 toys and for their employees' volunteer efforts during Hasbro's Global Day of Joy. "In the next three days, families will come to fill out their wish lists for children in their care and our volunteers will fill those wish lists and help the families out to their cars with bags full of stuff for a joyous holiday," Guillette said. Guillette emphasized the importance of collaboration in supporting foster families. “We don’t often think about people who have strained relationships with their families and might feel lonely during the holiday season," she said. "That’s especially true for children and youth in foster care." For Pascale, drives like this help alleviate the financial pressures of holiday shopping. "We look forward to it every year," Pascale said. "It feels good knowing there are people in our corner, trying to help us and the kiddos we're helping." Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent with Foster Forward can learn more about it online. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW