MINNEAPOLIS — Filmmaker Adrian Wilson covered the 2020 unrest in his documentary "A Letter to Bryson", which won a 2022 Twin Cities Film Fest Audience Award. Still, he felt inspired to do more.
"I just kind of saw how everything worked out after the pandemic and after the uprising," Wilson said. "What do our kids feel like? What are they going through? What can we do for them?"
Last holiday season, he founded Twin Cities Toy Drive.
"I went to every single company that I'd filmed for and said, 'Hey look, you said you want to promote and support BIPOC communities well this is an opportunity to put your money where your mouth is and let's make it happen,'" Wilson said.
Around 15 businesses agreed to host a donation drop-off box and, being the creative type, Wilson decided each one should look different from the next.
"Instead of it just being a random box in the corner of a store … let's make these boxes an actual work of art so folks will be excited not just to go donate but they can see something cool that was made by a local artist that you can follow, that you can support," he said.
Now for a second year, Twin Cities Toy Drive is back with new support.
"This year we decided to partner with the Sanneh Foundation," Wilson said. "Tony Sanneh is a former soccer player and it's a massive, massive organization."
This year, Wilson didn't even have to reach out to businesses. They reached out to him, requesting a box. Around 25 total, including Hotel Emery in downtown Minneapolis.
"We are just really excited to be part of it," marketing manager Maddie Flom said. "We actually are also offering a buy one get one offer at our Spyhouse coffee shop so any time you donate a toy you can also get a free drink."
Last year, a total 2,200 toys were collected and distributed. This year's drive goes through Dec. 22 at the following drop-off locations:
- The Sanneh Foundation
- GRAZE Provisions + Libations
- Minneapolis Vintage Market
- The Foshay W Hotel
- Porsche Minneapolis, St. Paul
- Ferrari Minneapolis, St. Paul
- Twin Cities Film Festival
- Rosedale Center
- Northrup King Building
- Hotel Emery
- Some Great People
- Poppy Stella Rose
- The Berry Patch
- Filigree Jewelers
- Privileged Model Management
- Insight Brewing & Taproom
- The Coven Minneapolis, St. Paul
- REM5 Virtual Reality
- June Upscale Resale
- Brick x Mortar
Toys will be distributed to Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence and other organizations.
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