5th Annual Build A Bond Toy Drive

Hi, I’m Janese Boston, and I know all too well the pain and challenges of being separated from your child due to incarceration. I spent four long years in the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), away from my baby boy. The fear that he would forget me or that I couldn’t be there for him haunted me every single day.

But while I was locked up, there was another side of this separation that weighed heavily on my heart—the struggle my family, especially my aunt, faced in caring for my son. She stepped up, but there were times when I knew she needed a little extra help, and I couldn’t do anything about it. That helplessness—that feeling of wanting to be there for both my child and my family but being powerless to do so—still stays with me.

That’s why I started the Build-a-Bond Toy Drive. It’s not just about giving children gifts from their incarcerated parents; it’s about helping the families—the caregivers—who hold everything together while a parent is absent. This initiative is my way of supporting them, because I know how much that extra help can mean, even if it’s just for a moment of joy during the holidays.

Now in our fifth year, this toy drive is open to parents incarcerated in the ODRC who have children living in Columbus. This year, we’re asking the community to submit families who could use this support. Our team will carefully review the submissions, contact the incarcerated parent, and ensure their children receive gifts on their behalf.

This project is about more than toys. It’s about preserving a bond that distance and bars can’t break. It’s about letting children know their parents still care, even if they can’t be there physically. And it’s about giving caregivers—those who hold the family together—the support they need in these difficult times.

In previous years, I was able to set up spaces in the jails for parents to "shop" for their children. But as we’ve grown, the process has evolved. We’re focusing now on direct outreach to the community, identifying families and making sure the love and support reaches those who need it most.

I know how hard this journey is—for parents, children, and caregivers. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us make this holiday season a little brighter for families navigating the pain of separation.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we can bring hope and joy to children and families who need it most.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Janese Boston

The Living Proof Chef