Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 12: Johnlyn Toy Exchange, which collects toys from those who have but no longer use them and presents them to deprived children, went across the Nethravathi River to present toy hampers to 120 children sheltered in De Mercede Orphanage Paneer (Anathalaya), on August 11. The hampers comprised toys, play things and children’s books. The orphanage was also presented equipment for collective use like cricket kits and throw-balls. After the toy hampers were distributed to each child, they were treated to snacks and soft drinks.

The sisters of De Mercede, led by Sr Luciana, took turns to present the hampers, which were marked by pink and blue ribbons for boys and girls, respectively. After the visiting Johnlyn Toys team, led by John Monteiro, the founder, and Prima Monteiro-D’Souza, the co-founder, were welcomed and introduced by Sr Luciana, the session took off with lusty Patiala laughs led by John Monteiro, who is also the founder of the Bondel Laughter Club, established in 2002. Thereafter, there were short presentations of song and dance by groups of girls and boys.

Speaking on the occasion, John Monteiro said that since its founding in January 2018, and its latest outreach, Johnlyn Toys has covered about 400 children of the 2200 such children identified in Mangalore and its suburbs, and which Johnlyn Toys hopes to cover in the shortest time possible. Such toys and books have come, besides from Mangalore, from other cities like Mysore, Bangalore and Mumbai. He said Mangalore itself has enough spareable toys to cover the target groups and more. Toy donations are currently trailing off and he appealed to those who have sentimentally mothballed toys of outgrown children to channel them to deprived children and bring a smile to their faces.