On a chilly and gray Saturday morning, eight Dartmouth Middle School students gathered to bring warmth to the community.

Six-year Gifts to Give affiliate Dr. Stephen Russell led the nonprofit's stuff-a-truck event in the Dartmouth Middle School parking lot, allowing locals to drive up and drop off toys, cribs, and clothing.

"I wanted to do a drive and Dartmouth has always been very generous," said Russell, who tries to organize two fundraisers each year. "It's just a fun thing to do and it helps a lot of people."

Students stayed warm by tossing around a lacrosse ball, but rushed back to unload donations into the U-Haul van.

"Whenever you can help kids in need," said volunteer Max Andrade, 14, "I'm always here to help."

After the event—which ran until 2 p.m.—the donations go to the Gifts to Give factory. There, volunteers wash toys, freeze stuffed animals (to kill possible mites), and check games and puzzles to make sure there are no missing pieces, said Russell. Then area social workers, nurses, and companies request packages for specific children in need, he said.

Gifts to Give connects children in need with gently used toys and clothes. Donations can also be dropped off at the Gifts to Give factory at Titleist Drive, Acushnet.