About Toys for Joe’s Kids

Joseph Mark “Joe” Foley was a big man with an even bigger heart.  That heart was especially touched by kids…whether it was his nieces and nephews, those in need in the Lehigh Valley or the children of Northern Ireland, Joe was always there for kids.  In 1985, Joe was responsible for founding Project Children of the Lehigh Valley, a program to bring kids from war torn Northern Ireland to the Lehigh Valley for a six week break from the turmoil back home.  Over the years more than 300 children benefitted from the program.  Each year around the holidays Joe would host a party and invited guests were asked to bring a toy for kids less fortunate, so they would have a brighter Christmas.  Joe would then personally make sure those toys found a worthy home in our community.

When Joe killed in July of 1998, his family and friends founded the Joseph Mark Foley Children’s Charities Fund, aka Joe’s Kids to carry on Joe’s good works.  Since its inception Joe’s Kids has held various events to raise money and awareness for the things that were close to that big heart.  Over the years more than $50,000.00 has been raised for programs such as Project Children and Mercy Special Learning Center. 

One event that has continued annually since 1998 is the Toys for Joe’s Kids Holiday Party.  The Toy Party event, created by Joe's Kids and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and held annually, for the first 21 years was held at Jack Callaghan’s Ale House, due to the Pandemic, the 2020 Toy Party was held virtually. This year’s Toy Party will be held at the America On Wheels Museum, everyone attending is asked to bring a toy for a needy family and continue the good work done in Joe’s name.  Over the years thousands of toys have been collected and distributed to those less fortunate through Catholic Charities of Allentown.  In 2013 the students at St Joseph’s the Worker school joined in the giving by collecting toys at the school, several hundred toys were collected by the students, and all these found a worthy home in our community with a family in need. The students of St. Joe’s continue to collect toys annually.

Through the efforts of Joe’s Kids we hope in some small way to make a difference in a child’s life.

Joe’s Kids, Making a difference, one child at a time