Timothy Gilbert from Framingham High teams up with mum to donate toys to children in need

FRAMINGHAM – When Harold Kushner, award-winning Rabbi of Natick’s Temple Israel and best-selling author, wrote, “When you’re kind to others it doesn’t just change you, it changes the world,” he might have thought of Timothy Gilbert .

Gilbert, 17, who graduated from the 2021 class at Framingham High School on Sunday, will leave behind a legacy of kindness.

In 2007, he and his mother, Sharon Gilbert, created Timothy’s Toy Box with the mission of giving toys to children in need during the holiday season. Over the past 14 years, they have collected and purchased over 19,000 new toys and delivered them to local homeless shelters, schools, hospitals, churches and families.

They also provided wrapping paper, tape, scissors, labels, batteries and blankets for parents. So far, more than 3,900 local children have had special vacations thanks to Timothy’s Toy Box.

Photo gallery: 2021 Marlborough High Class graduates in ceremonies at John G. Noble Field

Timothy said he and his mother originally donated to Toys for Tots before realizing the items were being distributed across the country.

“We wanted to do something closer to home,” said Timothy, who has lived in Framingham his entire life. “And I grew up with it and it got bigger as I got older. I just didn’t really want to quit – I like to do it.”

Gilbert graduated with the rest of the 2021 class from Framingham High School at Bowditch Field on Sunday.

Learning through non-profit work

To keep Timothy’s Toy Box running smoothly, Timothy said he and his mother started preparing in August, about six months before the holiday season. Children are usually given a “wish list” toy that is close to their hearts, along with a book, game, and stuffed animal.

“We try to give them a variety of things,” Timothy said.

Thanks to this work, he discovered very early people who are struggling to get by.

“It made me really thankful for what I have and helped me understand that people are in totally different situations,” said Timothy. “When I was little it was a little more difficult to understand but I’m very happy that I learned this at a young age.”

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An atypical school year

Like his classmates in Framingham, Timothy spent much of his senior year learning from a distance. The high school switched to a hybrid model in early March, before starting full in-person learning in May.

“I absolutely loved going back,” said Timothy, saying he enjoyed being with his friends and getting to know his teachers again. “It was amazing.”

He said it was satisfying to be at the finish line after an upside down school year.

“It’s almost a bit like ‘What just happened?’” Said Timothy. “Because it went fast this year, but we were still able to do whatever we needed to do. I would say it was as successful as any school year.”

After: Framingham State celebrates 2020 and 2021 graduates

Projects for the future

Timothy will go to the University of Massachusetts Amherst this fall to study engineering, saying he was drawn to the subject in college and high school.

“I’ve always been more of a kid in math and science than English and history,” said Timothy.

Already he plans many trips home throughout his first year to make sure Timothy’s Toy Box can continue to make the holidays special for as many kids as possible.

When asked how he hopes Framingham High School will remember him, Timothy’s response was simple and straightforward.

“Really, just a good person,” said Timothy.

Zane Razzaq writes on education. Contact her at 508-626-3919 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.