Hi everyone,
I am wondering if anyone knows about an organization that could use donations of new children's toys? My daughter is having a 4yo birthday party soon and we decided to donate any gifts received from friends to charity. She will keep gifts from family, which will be plenty. It will be a big party and we would rather focus on having fun than opening gifts, plus we wanted to do something to help iother kids in need during these trying times. On the invitation, I asked people to please refrain from bringing a gift for my daughter to the party, and requested that if they want to purchase something for the occasion, they instead donate to their favorite charity or that they bring a gift that we could donate to charity instead - but now I can't find a charity that can use toys! I know it sounds strange but many charities are only set up to receive toys during the holidays and/or have plenty of toys currently, or don't return my calls/emails. I would appreciate any ideas!
Oh so many needs. Great idea and thanks for doing your part in the community. Raphael House is a domestic violence shelter that helps women and their children transition into independent living.
Hi D.,
The Children's Cancer Association (CCA) will take toys any time of the year. They are a wonderful organization and have a 'Chemo Pal' program that uses toys for the kids. You can find info for them at www.joyrx.org Or if you want to reach someone specifically you can email me and I'll give you the email for someone directly.
Great thing you are doing!!!
Hi D.,
I found Helping Hands a free store for survivors of domestic violence. The people can come and get 10 things for their kids at no charge. The woman I talked to seemed really thankful, but the welcome once we arrived was less than warm so be prepared. I know that the kids who have had to leave everything behind in order to be safe will appreciate it.
Here is the contact info:
9999 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR 97220
###-###-####
Good luck finding a charity you find suitable for your donations.
Kind regards,
T. Nelson CD (DONA)
northwest childrens outreach is a great place. there website is www.northwestchildrensoutreach.org it has the hours and locations.
Dayla already gave you the info, but I'll cast my vote for Northwest Children's Outreach (www.northwestchildrensoutreach.org). It's a fabulous organization run by volunteers. I run a consignment sale twice a year and we send all of our leftovers/donations there. They need everything from maternity and baby stuff to teens. And with 4 locations, there should be one near you!
My sale is: www.passitonsales.com if anyone is interested! We are going on year 4 at the Hillsboro Fairgrounds. Tons of great bargains on kids clothes, toys, furniture, & more. If you are interested in selling, check out the web site. :)
My daughter attends Fruit and Flower Child Development Center. It is one of the very few daycare centers for working families which also provides scholarships for families who cannot afford care. I am sure they would love donations of new toys to help serve our families better. What a nice idea.
I'd love to suggest Northwest Children's Outreach. They have just opened their 4th location (Hillsboro, Pearl District, Vancouver and now Beaverton) to support kid's. The website is http://www.northwestchildrensoutreach.org/index.php. They keep a 'birthday closet' of new toys for special occasions of kid's that otherwise wouldn't receive a gift. Check the website for the weekly hours of each location or to send an email to a coordinator. The organization is all volunteer and well run. Children are allowed to volunteer along side parents so it's the place I take my kid's used clothes and toys, then my kid's get to help pack up bags for other kid's.
I would suggest a local domestic violence shelter, Foster Children's program, or homless shelter. I am sure your local police, church, or YWCA could give you contact information.
This is a great idea! Good for you. Perhaps we will try this at our next birthday. I hope the idea catches on.
Hi D.,
What a lovely idea for you to have. There is an organization called Candlelighters that supports children with Cancer and their families. I am sure they would be very happy to have the toys and I would be happy to help you get in touch with them if you like. I think their website is www.forkidswithcancer.org if you would like to learn more about them. My almost two year old daughter is a childhood cancer survivor and I can't begin to tell you how much a new toy was appreciated during especially hard hospital stays. If you are interested in further information I can be reached at ____@____.com a very nice day and Happy Birthday to your daughter.
E.
You can take new toys to Doernbecher's and request that they be distributed to the children in the cancer ward or handed out to outpatients that visit the phlebotomy lab to have blood drawn. Contact the Child Life Center (I'm not sure that is the exact name but the switchboard should be able to direct your call to the appropriate place) and let them know you want to make a toy donation.
I am involved with a charitable orgianztion serving inner city children. We have a great need for childrens toys, clothing and furnishings
You can reach me at ###-###-####
As a volunteer in my personal life and as a police officer in my professional life I've been involved, usually in a casual way with mnay of the suggested organizations others have told you about. As a foster parent I want to tell you that CSD (Children Services Division) gives gifts of new toys to all foster children. Even tho I could afford giving many gifts to my child she still received a couple of gifts from CSD. She greatly enjoyed them. It was like a connection to the people who were involved in her life.
However, I would suggest that you give those gifts to an organization that will have some sort of personal contact for your child. For that reason I'd add Toy and Joy Makers. Fireman accept all toys (I think) and refurbish used bikes. A firestation would let you bring your daughter and the toys to their station. They could give her a tour. You probably should ask before you arrive. Most kids really like seeing and knowing about firemen. Most of the fireman that I've known are good with children. The fire department as a whole goes into the community to let children see them and their equipment.
I think that most likely any of the organizations that have been cited on this site are good ones to choose. There are some with which I'm not familiar. Seeing their names cause me to want to know more about them and donate myself. I've added the fire department in case you want a personal experience and the other organizations aren't able to provide that.
I applaud your plan. I doubt that my grandchildren would've accepted doing that at any age. My 8 yo granddaughter has learned empathy in other ways but she doesn't have a concept of how to help strangers. Se does ask to give to the people on the street corner but I don't think that's the best way to be involved. The school is helping students to be more aware of community needs on the green level. Your post has caused me to think of ways to broaden my 8 yo's community awarenss involving the children who don't have enough, not only toys but the basics of housing and food.
