Piled high in Jesse Moniz’s office at Affiliated Professional Services Billing are toys bound for the Dick Melloni Youth Foundation Toy Drive.

More than $1,000 worth of toys. And Moniz says he wouldn’t be surprised if the employees at APS Billing had double that amount by the time the toy drive is over.

The APS toy effort started three years ago with just the client services department, but has now spread to the entire company.

“It started with the Toys for Tots program…but we weren’t sure who was getting the toys,” says Moniz. He got in touch with the Wareham Police Department, located next door to APS. The police put him in touch with Sybil Melloni and the local toy drive named in honor of her late husband. 

With the Melloni toy drive, “It’s real personal. You see who you’re helping,” says Moniz.

APS employee Janet Newly, who helped organize the toy drive with Moniz, said of Melloni, “She’s so appreciative, it makes you want to help more.”

Moniz, a client service manager, is very proud of how much they’ve been able to raise so far. “A lot of employees don’t have a lot, but everyone’s contributed.”

Moniz has also received many cash donations, which he and Newly take to Walmart to buy toys. Moniz says he does not want those who don’t have the time to shop for toys to be discouraged from giving.

Moniz and Newly are both reluctant to take credit for the toy drive, saying that everyone at APS Billing deserves to be recognized for their generosity.

 “Everyday more and more keeps coming in,” says Moniz. “It just brings out the good in people.”