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Toys for Tots Drop off Locations 2022 in NYC

1. Toys For Tots – Multiple Locations

Toys For Tots is one of the most well-known charities where you can donate toys in NYC and beyond. This organization is famous nationwide and has been spreading hope and cheer since 1947. To date, 627 million toys have been collected and distributed to children in need. Toys For Tots helps provide children ages birth through 12 (sometimes extended to ages 14-16) with brand-new toys. The NYC Toys For Tots campaign is one of nearly 800 campaigns nationwide. The official NYC Toys For Tots campaign is affiliated with the Marine Corps, which collects toys at drop-off locations throughout the five boroughs.

How to get help: Contact one of these approved organizations to request toys. Please note that the NYC Toys For Tots campaign only collects the toys; it is not able to distribute them.

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Operation Santa lets shoppers select and ship a present to kids in need each holiday season. Photo courtesy USPS

Holiday Toy Drives to Donate Toys in NYC

2. USPS Operation Santa – Multiple Locations

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer...on postman! This is a truly magical operation and one that has been going on for more than 100 years. Each year, thousands of children send letters to Santa at the North Pole. The United States Postal Service collects these letters for Operation Santa and posts them (withholding private information) online. You can then read through the letters and choose to adopt one for the holidays. Follow the guidelines provided by the USPS to send a gift and a note to the child for the holidays. Our Mommy Poppins team participated in 2021 and found it was a fun way to get kids involved. The whole family can read the letters online, choose one to adopt, and then go shopping—and shipping—together to make someone's holiday a little brighter.

How to get help: Follow the letter-writing tips here and postmark your request by Monday, December 12.

3. Garden of Dreams Toy Drive – Midtown West

If you're lucky enough to have tickets to an early showing of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, pack a toy for this annual drive when you head to the theater. The window is short: The annual Garden of Dreams Toy Drive runs only through Tuesday, November 22, but drop boxes can be found inside Radio City Music Hall's entrances ahead of showtime. New unwrapped toys are accepted at this 17th-annual event and are distributed to needy children by the high-kicking Rockettes themselves. 

4. Camba – The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens

Camba hosts an annual holiday toy drive to collect toys for children in its five family homeless shelters throughout three NYC boroughs. It estimates that 21,000 NYC children will be living in a homeless shelter this holiday season, and each donation counts. Whether you're considering donating as a family or creating a neighborhood toy drive to donate toys in NYC to Camba's holiday toy drive, reach out to Melissa Fisher, development director at 718-287-2600, ext. 20321 or email melissaf@camba.org.

5. The Child Center of New York – Queens

The Child Center of New York has 50 locations and 100 programs across the city to support families and children with growth and development. From early childhood to youth to residential support, this organization helps those in need in many ways. This program to donate toys in NYC is a special way to help create a beautiful, lasting memory for children in the center's programs. At this time, physical toys are not being accepted, but you can donate online to make a meaningful contribution.

How to get help: If you are interested in receiving support for your child through one of the Child Center of New York's programs, call 718-651-7770 or email info@childcenterny.org.

6. Holiday Shoebox Appeal: Toy Drive 2022 – Queens

Hosted by the New York Irish Center, this toy drive is a true community event. The center becomes Santa's Workshop, and volunteers become the elves, working together to wrap 500 gifts for families in need. To support this toy drive, make a monetary donation online or give the gift of time as a volunteer gift wrapper on Saturday, December 3. Your donation goes toward purchasing 500 gifts for 500 underprivileged children.

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The Hance Family Foundation's annual toy drive allows individuals to donate toys in NYC in memory of the founders' daughters. Photo courtesy of the foundation

7. Hance Family Foundation – Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island

The Hance Family Foundation was founded by Warren and Jackie Hance, whose three daughters tragically died in a car accident. In their memory, the foundation has created scholarships and programs to support families and communities. Each year, the organization hosts an annual toy drive. The Hance Family Foundation's 2022 toy drive runs through Sunday, December 18. With multiple drop-off sites and online shopping options, you can easily donate toys in NYC to this organization.

More Places to Donate Toys in NYC

8. Room to Grow – The Bronx

Room to Grow is a unique organization with an incredible mission to support children and families in need. It not only provides families with essential baby and toddler items; this organization also has a program that supports families with individual visits and supports starting in the last trimester before birth until the child turns 3. For toy donations, Room to Grow stipulates toys must be clean and have no missing pieces. No stuffed animals are accepted. It does, however, accept gently used items in excellent condition. Toys should be appropriate for infants through age 3. If you're not sure what items are accepted by Room to Grow, check out this handy donation checklist for a comprehensive list of items and information. Donations may be dropped off at the South Bronx Family Center, sent by mail, or scheduled for a pickup ($100 fee).

How to get help: Apply for the program for free support.

9. Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital – Manhattan

Consider donating new toys or making an online donation directly impacts a child at Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital. While there is no physical toy donation drop-off location available, you can donate toys easily to children in need by purchasing something on the hospital's Amazon Wish List or by making a monetary donation. The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department helps young patients find joy and magic through art and play. The addition of a donated toy can brighten an otherwise challenging time for a child and their family.

10. Good+ Foundation – NYC

The Good+ Foundation is a national nonprofit that supports low-income families and caregivers by providing them with essential goods. Founded by Jessica Seinfeld, the organization has donated more than $80 million worth of items to families in need. The Good+ Foundation accepts new toy donations. To schedule a drop-off, please email info@goodplusfoundation.org or call 212-736-1777. You can also donate a new toy or item through the foundation's Amazon Baby Registry.

11. Little Essentials – Brooklyn

For more than 10 years, this organization has been supporting families living in poverty by providing necessary items and education, geared toward supporting the growth and wellness of children under 5 years old. You can donate new (and gently used) toys to Little Essentials. The acceptable age range for items is newborn to age 5. You can a href="https://calendly.com/little-essentials-donations/donation-dropoff?month=2022-11" target="_blank">book an appointment online to schedule a donation drop-off at the Brooklyn Navy Yard location. You can also purchase a new item from its Amazon or Target Wish Lists.

12. NYC Mammas Give Back – Manhattan

Located in West Chelsea, NYC Mammas Give Back is an organization with a strong mission to support NYC mothers and families who face homelessness and poverty. Here, you can donate new (and gently used) toys to help spread cheer during the holidays. Infant developmental toys are in need. Donated stuffed animals must be new. Make sure to check its website for specific details related to drop-off appointments, location, and currently accepted items.