Salute to Framingham Honors Sharon Gilbert and Tony Tolson

Framingham resident Sharon Gilbert, with her son Timothy, would collect toys for needy children for Christmas.

One year she learned that the toys she was donating were not going to local children in Framingham; and she knew there were many children in need.

So in 2007, she launched Timothy's Toy Box.

The Framingham North graduate and her son Timothy, now a fourth grade student at Dunning Elementary, in the last six years, have helped almost 1,000 local children and collected more than 5,000 toys.

Sharon Gilbert, along with Framingham Youth Football Coach Tony Tolson were honored as this year's recipients of the Salute to Framingham award.

Framingham native Tolson, has been active in Framingham youth sports for most of his life. First as a player, and now as a coach. Many in Framingham, know Tolson as the coach of the Framingham Youth Football team then went to the national championships in 2011.

Gilbert and Tolson accepted their award before a sold out crowd at the Sheraton Framingham Wednesday night at the 21st Annual Salute to Framingham. The event honors individuals for their outstanding commitment and service to the youth of Framingham. The Salute to Framingham is the largest single fundraiser for Framingham High School. All proceeds support the arts and athletic programs at the high school.

Gilbert's organization is not your typical toy drive. She works with local shelters to create wish list for the children to ensure everyone receives one gift they really want.

Each child get 4-5 toys, but there is a lot of planning and effort that happens before the deliveries take place in early-to-mid December.

Timothy's Toy Box not only supplies families with the toys, but the wrapping paper, tape, tags scissors and even batteries they will need. This allows the families to wrap the gift themselves so they can share in the joy of the holiday.

Gilbert said the first year they helped 35 children. Now, the organization helps more than 200 children annually - 99% of which live in Framingham.

She said while she appreciates when individuals, families an organizations donate toys, she doesn't always get the "wish list requested toys." she needs.

She said that is when cash donations really help her complete her mission. If you would like to donate visit www.timothystoybox.com.

Tolson, in 2010, took on a Framingham Youth football team that lost every game the season before. With him as coach, the team finished 6-3. The next season, in 2011, the team finished the season 8-1 and won the Bay State Conference and the .

The squad went on to win the New England Regional Championships and to compete for the national championship in Florida.

Tolson said his coaching style is to focus on the fundamentals and theory.

"There's a difference in talent and skill. God gives you talent, you perfect your skill," he said.

He talked about how if everyone thought he was fast as an athlete, his mom was even faster getting down the sidelines to watch him.

Tolson said it is important for athletes to be student-athletes. He said education has to come first and sports second.

Tolson said he enjoys coaching his three sons, Anthony Jr. (who now is at Framingham High), Michael and Joseph, who is at McCarthy Elementary.

When not coaching and spending time with his wife Jennifer and their three boys, Tolson also volunteers and fund raises for breast cancer awareness and homeless food pantries and shelters.

Also during Wednesday night's event, 22 Framingham High students were honored as exceptional and dozens of school district faculty and staff were given "You Are Special" recognitions.

NOTE: Framingham Patch will have more on those honors in another report.