Spread The Holiday Spirit: Toy Drives In NYC

By NYMetroParents Staff November 15, 2012

If you're wondering where to donate old toys in New York City this year, look no further. We've tracked down toy drives in Manhattan, toy drives in Brooklyn, toy drives in the Bronx, and toy drives in Queens. Teach your child about donating to a good cause this holiday season.

little girl with teddy bear

Where to Donate Old Toys in Manhattan

Kid-Care Fourth Annual Toy Drive

Due to the devastation Hurricane Sandy has caused thousands of children in the Tri-State area, Kid-Care will be making this year's toy drive a special event. Not only will they provide children with gifts for the holiday season, but they will also help their parents provide them with the bare essentials that they now desperately need. Monetary donations will not go toward bureaucracy; it will be used now for families in need. Last year's toy drive had over 300 people in attendance, more than 1,500 toys donated, and nearly $15,000 raised. There will be a riffle and a silent auction.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6:30-9:30pm. Traffic Bar NYC, 701 Ninth Ave., Hells Kitchen. Admission: 1 new unwrapped toy and $20 donation; includes 1 raffle ticket, free food, beer, and wine.

RSVP to Morgan Turkewitz with how many guests you plan on bringing: [email protected]

December Toy Drive at Prenatal Yoga Center

The Prenatal Yoga Center will continue its Karma Yoga program by collecting toys for a holiday season donation to Toys for Tots. The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The community is invited to drop off toys for infants and young children; toys should be clean and in excellent condition. Wednesday, Dec. 12 - Friday, Dec. 14, 9-10am. Saturday, Dec. 15, 1-3pm. Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 W. 72nd St., Upper West Side.

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families Annual Toy Drive (Manhattan)

Most children and adolescents residing in foster care or receiving preventive care are victims of some form of child abuse or abandonment. This toy drive is for them. If you have toys, gift cards, or your organization would like to plan a mini-toy drive on behalf of EGSCF, contact Heather Thompson at 212-437-3568 or [email protected] for further details. Through Monday, Dec. 17. Manhattan Drop-off: 1968 Second Ave., 2nd Floor, Harlem. All EGSCF office sites serve as drop-off sites for the public to bring toys.

For more information contact Amelia Swanigan, 646-315-7604 or Camisha Williams, 646-315-7644.

Lacoste Toy Drive

All toys donated will go to children in the tri-state area who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Lacoste will donate a toy for each one donated and also a 20% off discount on any Lacoste purchase to those who donate. Toys may be dropped off through Nov. 25 at Locaste, 608 Fifth Ave.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 212-459-2300.

CUNY Cares 2012 Toy Drive

The CUNY Cares 2012 Toy Drive is to benefit children living in New York City homeless shelters. CUNY Cares encourages everyone to contribute a new, unwrapped toy for distribution to children of all ages. Accepting toys Oct. 25 - Dec. 20. Drop-offs at multiple locations.

1. 219 W. 40th St., 4th Floor, Midtown. Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm. For more information contact Marie Desir, 646-758-7801.

2. 1114 Sixth Ave., Midtown. Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm. For more information contact LaBella Viola, 212-290-5661.

3. 535 E. 80th St., Upper East Side. Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. For more information contact Angel Henriquez, 917-846-0980.

4. 560 W. 181st Street, Washington Heights. Monday - Thursday 11am-7pm; Friday -Saturday 12pm-5pm. For more information contact Charlotte Butler, 212-568-4680.

Coalition for the Homeless Toy Drive

This annual toy drive donates all toys to go to needy children in New York City homeless shelters. The goal is to raise at least 1,000 toys. The drive will culminate in the Holiday Carnival where children will be able to meet Santa, enjoy games and food, and celebrate the Holiday spirit. Donations accepted through Dec. 10. This year, public advocate, Bill de Blasio's office will serve as a drop-off location at 1 Centre St., 15th Floor, Lower Manhattan. You can also mail donations directly to: Coalition for the Homeless, Attn: Toy Drive, 129 Fulton St., New York, NY, 10038.

For more information contact the foundation at [email protected] or call 212-669-4892.

Where to Donate Old Toys in Brooklyn

The Chris S. Owens Foundation Toy Drive

This holiday season The Chris S. Owens Foundation has partnered with Not Another Child, The Brooklyn Party Loft, and Cocktails with Chocolate to spread holiday cheer to children in displaced homes and in urban communities by hosting their annual Holiday Toy Drive at the Brooklyn Party Loft Cafe. The party will take place Dec. 20, 2-9pm. Toys will be accepted until 12pm on Dec. 15, 2012 at The Brooklyn Party Loft Café, 350 Tompkins Ave., Suite 1. Donate an unwrapped toy suitable for a child age 3-13.

For more information, visit crowdrise.com/TheChrisSOwensFoundation13 or contact president Chris Fove at 424-354-0545 or [email protected]

MSNY Holiday Toy Drive

MSNY is accepting toys Nov. 18 through Dec. 2, and all donations will go to Mount Sanai Children’s Hospital. The drop-off is located at 414 W. 51st St., Brooklyn.

For more information and a list of suggested toy donations, visit msny.org/toydrive2012.

Toys for Giving Toy Drive

Brooklyn Parks & Recreation will be accepting donations for their Toys for Giving Toy Drive beginning Nov. 1. New unwrapped toys or other suitable gifts may be dropped off at the Recreation Office or the Town Hall. Cash donations are welcome; checks should be made payable to Brooklyn Parks & Recreation, P.O. Box 356, Brooklyn, NY, 06234.
Only donations made by Dec. 14 will be used for this year's program. All items collected will benefit Brooklyn’s needy children. Also, if you know a Brooklyn family in need, or you are in need of holiday assistance this year, please contact the office by Dec. 14 to be included in this year's drive.

For more information visit brooklynct.org/contactus.htm or call 860-779-3411.

Christmas Toy Drive

Collecting toys for children of all ages, through Dec. 6. On weekdays, drop donations off at Carroll Gardens Association, Inc., 201 Columbia St., 9am-5pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, drop toys off at House of Pizza and Calzone, 132 Union St.

For more information call 718-243-9301.

Honey Engel Toy Drive

Chai Lifeline is accepting toys for children of all ages. Toys may be dropped off at Totally Toys, 1435 Coney Island Ave. or at Toys 4 U, 232 Lee Ave. Pick-ups of large donations can be arranged.

For more information call 877-CHAI-LIFE x656 or email [email protected]

Where to Donate Old Toys in the Bronx

The Bronx Zoo Toy Drive

Toys are being accepted at The Bronx Zoo through Dec. 31. Donators will receive free admission to the zoo.

For more information visit bronxzoo.com.

Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families Annual Toy Drive (Bronx)

Most children and adolescents residing in foster care or receiving preventive care are victims of some form of child abuse or abandonment. This toy drive is for them. If you have toys, gift cards, or if your organization would like to plan a mini-toy drive on behalf of EGSCF, this is the toy drive for you. Through Dec. 17. Bronx Drop-off: 412-424 E. 147th St., Bronx, NY, 10455. All EGSCF office sites serve as drop-off sites for the public to bring toys.

For more information contact Heather Thompson at 212-437-3568 or [email protected]

Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network Toy Drive

Toys are being collected through Dec. 12 and will go to children and teenagers living at Bronx shelters. Drop-off is located at MC Insurance, 929 E. 169 St. and at Sunshine Bronx, 890 Garrison Ave., 2nd Floor.

For more information visit bxtoynetwork.eventbrite.com.

Where to Donate Old Toys in Queens

FreeMAT (Free Medical Aid Team) Toy Drive

Toys donated will be given to children of deployed army personnel. Through Dec. 15. Drop-off: New York Hospital Queens Main Entrance at 56-45 Main St., Flushing.

For more information, visit nyhq.org or contact Peter Kwiath, FreeMAT coordinator at 718-670-2091.