Donation Value

$200,000

families served

92

toys Donated

10,000

Fill The

Box

wHAt?

What began in 2016 as a simple “thank you” from Meredith to the medical teams who supported her has since grown into a movement of compassion, community, and giving. By 2017, the Fill the Box campaign had evolved into an annual toy and gift card drive supporting Tufts Medical Center, and it has continued to expand every year.

Today, the annual Fill the Box program is the Mighty Meredith Project’s largest philanthropic initiative, fueling our ability to brighten the lives of children and families facing medical challenges. Through the generosity of our community, Fill the Box provides:

Toys, activities, and gift cards that ease the stress of pediatric hospitalizations and frequent medical visits.
Holiday gifts for children who are hospitalized on Christmas Day or during the holiday season.
Support for families in financial hardship, helping relieve the impossible choice between paying for medical care and creating a holiday experience for their children.

What started as a gesture of gratitude has grown into an enduring tradition of hope, bringing comfort, joy, and relief to those who need it most.

2017: Meredith in the early days of Fill the Box

WHY?

Through both inpatient stays and outpatient procedures, Meredith experienced firsthand how the generosity of strangers can lift spirits during difficult hospital visits. In keeping with the Mighty Meredith Project’s mission of being Mighty Giving, she wanted to pay that kindness forward, bringing joy and comfort to others who may be navigating similar challenges by giving back to the hospitals where she has received care, along with newly added community hospitals in need of assistance.

July 2021 - Meredith receiving medical treatment and benefiting from the generosity of strangers to make her visit more comfortable.

HoW?

You can help us “Fill the Box” in many ways.

As we enter our ninth year, we are incredibly grateful to the North Reading community and the many local businesses who have welcomed a collection box during the holiday season and helped us promote our biggest event of the year.

We also welcome companies and departments seeking a “charity of choice” for the season. The Mighty Meredith Project has been fortunate to partner with generous corporate supporters over the years, and we are excited to continue expanding this network.

As an individual or corporate donor, you can support the campaign in several ways:

Sponsor a family with a donation to cover the cost of providing a holiday meal, gas cards, and modest holiday gifts for a family receiving medical care during the holidays
Drop off a toy at any participating box-holder location
Purchase items online through Amazon at your convenience
Make a financial donation to support our mission

2022 Fill the Box Campaign

What is Fill the Box?

2025/2026

Donation OPTIONS

As we look to the 2025 Mighty Meredith Project Fill the Box season, we invite local businesses, community groups, and corporate partners to join us in expanding our impact. Whether by hosting a collection box, sponsoring a family, or rallying your teams to give back, you can help us bring comfort, joy, and hope to children and families facing medical challenges during the holidays.

Together, let us make 2025 our most impactful season yet.

Fill the Box Annual Toy Drive - November 2025!

Hosted in conjunction with the North Reading Masons and NRHS student volunteers
Saturday, November 29th and Sunday, November 30th
Several Weekend Collection Sites:
- November 29th
  - North Reading Masonic Lodge, 283 Park Street
- November 30th
  - Play It Again Sports, 225 Main St., North Reading
- November 29th and 30th
  - Drop off at 240 Park Street, North Reading (Parish Park)
We are accepting NEW toys for children of all ages, with a special call to action to support teens, who are often the most overlooked.
Gift cards are also greatly appreciated and make an enormous impact. Ideas include Market Basket, Stop and Shop, Target, Walmart, CVS, Visa, American Express, Dunkin, Starbucks, etc.

North Reading, MA - Box Holders through December

Boston Flower Market, North Reading
Reading Cooperative Bank - Reading and North Reading branches
Salon 77, North Reading

Holiday Parties and Corporate Affiliates

If you are interested in hosting a box site for your holiday party, please contact us for a box set up kit.

Wishlist

If you are interested in participating in this annual event with a toy or gift card donation, but are not local to a drop off location, please visit our Amazon Wishlist curated by our donation recipients.

Monetary Donations

If you are interested in making a financial donation in any dollar amount, please visit our Donation Page.

Current Year Campaign

Fill the Box - Impact

2016

How It All Began
The Mighty Meredith Project started when 12-year-old Meredith chose to turn her birthday gift cards and money into $500 worth of gift cards for the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department at Tufts, where she received treatment in 2016. Her simple act of giving back became the spark that launched the MMP.

Pictured Here: Meredith Casey and members of the Child Life team from Tufts.

2021

Deepening Our Holiday Outreach
In 2021, the Fill the Box initiative sponsored 10 families and expanded its impact across Tufts Child Life and Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Each sponsored family received a curated set of gift cards valued at $1,000 including grocery, gas, American Express, and other tailored selections, based on their size and specific needs. These contributions helped bring comfort and meaningful support to children and families undergoing medical treatment.

2021 also brought us together with the North Reading Masons and a team of volunteers to help in our toy collection efforts, substantially increasing our collection efforts.

Pictured: Meredith with her neurologist, Dr. Gaitanis.

2023

Expanding Impact Across Two Hospitals
In 2023, the Fill the Box campaign broadened its reach by supporting 20 families at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, each receiving a curated package of $500 in gift cards to maximize impact. We also provided thousands of dollars in gifts and gift cards to support Pediatric Neurology, along with several hundred gifts and gift cards for Tufts Child Life. Together, these efforts strengthened our ability to support children and families across both hospitals during the holiday season.

Pictured Here: A team of North Reading High School volunteers in conunction with the North Reading Masons.

2024

Strengthening Community Partnerships
In 2024, our expanded collaboration with local community members and the North Reading Masons led to a banner collection year. This support allowed us to provide meaningful family sponsorships and deliver hundreds of items to pediatric neurology clinics and Child Life teams across Tufts and Hasbro. Our growing partnerships continue to deepen the impact of the Fill the Box campaign year after year.

Be Kind.

It's Good for the Mind.

Meredith Casey