Donating Toys

If they are unopened you can take them to any place that is collecting for Toys for Tots. Also private owned day care centers will usually take unopened toys as well (I know the one my son is at does since they are always looking to change out toys in the infant and toddler rooms). I would suggest asking friends you know who have their kids in daycare if their centers take them or not.

I'm in the same process as you in regards to toys. Do you know anyone that takes baby/kids books? That seems to be more of an issue for us right now.

Hey N.. An easy suggestion is any church because most churches to my knowledge do some kind of giving tree for Christmas. Or maybe to the hospital pediatric department?

Hi N.,

IN Freehold Briar HIll nursery school off dutch lane near Kozloski has angle bear tags for children in need.(not for the children who go there.) There are lots of tags left over that is sad. They would love to hook your toy to their tags and make that specific child have a happy holiday. Actually, maybe they can even arrange to pick it up from you.

Thanks,
Happy Holidays,
Dawn De

Hi,
Any Toys R Us store will have a bin collecting for Toys For Tots. The program is sponsered by the Marines. You can also contact a local church to see if they have a family or two with children that need age appropriate gifts this year.

Thanks for you spirit of giving.
D.

I think firehouses will take them for toys for tots but I would stop by or call ahead to see, for the opened ones you could call good will or salvation army and see what they say.

I'm sure there are loads of charities that are collecting toys for the holidays. Usually at Freehold Mall they have those bins where you can go and buy a toy and put it in there. If the toys you have are still in the packaging, I would just bring it there since it's probably pretty close to you. Or you could call a local church. I know our church always has some kind of Christmas outreach. My church is in Old Bridge and they have a ministry called Broken Loaves which reaches out to needy families. Their number is: ###-###-####.

Great idea about teaching the boys. :)

This was in our local paper:

Friendly Sons host holiday toy drive
The Jersey Shore Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh [FSOS], of Belmar, recently kicked off their sixth annual 2008 Holiday Toy Drive to help bring the holiday spirit to local children and families.

The toys collected this holiday season will be sent to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the K. Hovnanian Childrens Hospital at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, in Neptune; 180 Turning Lives Around; Monmouth Medical Center; The Madonna House; Belmar’s Department of Social Services; Our Lady of Providence Church; the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County and dozens of local families in need.

The FSOS began collecting unwrapped toys, books, games and checks on Oct. 26. The toy drive will run through Dec. 17 at the FSOS Club, located at 815 16th Avenue, in Belmar, where toys can be dropped off after 2 p.m. daily. ###-###-####

Yes! Contact RAINE - Reaching All In Need Everyday at www.rainefoundation.com. A family friend founded this nonprofit several years ago and they reach out to families in the Bayshore area during Christmas time and deliver donated presents to over 200 families. They are a fabulous organization and I know they would really appreaciate the donation.