Toy Donation After Christmas

Updated on October 03, 2012
R. asks from Saint Paul, MN
27 answers

I know some moms were asking about this before Christmas, but now that it is after, does anyone know of a place to donate some new toys? My boys received more than they know what to do with and some have not even been removed from the box. I'd like them to go directly to kids rather than to the "pick up" charities who sell the stuff to thrift stores. Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I contacted the Dakota Woodlands shelter in Eagan and will be dropping the toys off with them.

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H.L.

answers from Milwaukee on

I use freecycle. It is an internet and what you do is post what you have to give away and people respond. You can use this also to get some free stuff. It is completly free. You give the item away and you can also respond to people who want are giving their things away. Try it it is a good idea.
H.

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S.J.

answers from St. Cloud on

My thought is to call the Sal Army. Also, look up toys for Tots/twincitiesd and call a Sgt named Alfonzo...he was really helpful to me in the past. Hope this helps.

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R.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think a really good place is Once Upon A Child, they are located all over the twin citys. Hope that helps.

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S.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hello. My name is S. and I work at Womens Homeless Shelter in Eagan MN. The name of the Shelter is Dakota Woodlands. They use new toy donations for kids birthdays (since moms cant afford to bye their children a birthday present). Also throughout the year they get various gifts for various reasons. This is just one option, I am sure there are many places that would be more then willing to accept a donation of any kind. It is people like you, with such generosity, that really make places like these (shleters) continue to help people in need. If you would like more information the phone number is ###-###-####. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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V.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hi R. - I work for Volunteers of America of Minnesota, a nonprofit social service agency, and would be happy to accept the toys on give them to foster kids in our programs. Our corporate offices are in Golden Valley and you could drop them off next week if you'd like. If you (or anyone else) are interested, let me know and I will send you my full contact information. Thank you! - V.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Duluth on

R.-

I have not tried this place yet, but my friend has used it frequently, and she says they just love any little thing she brings in. It is for teenage mothers. I recommend calling to check it out before going over, as I am not sure of their policies :-)

Face to Face
1165 Arcade Street
St. Paul, MN
###-###-####

Good luck, and if you have the time to tell me about your experience, I'd love to hear!
T.

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S.F.

answers from Minneapolis on

We donate all of our stuff (clothing, toys, etc.) to Joseph's Coat, which is a Christian organization that is located in St. Paul off of West 7th Street. It is a wonderful organization, and the people have to be referred from some sort of agency, and they can go once a week and fill up a grocery bag. I've been driving by on the days they can go, and it is sad and nice at the same time to see these people walking with their one bag of stuff. They only have certain days you can drop off. You can pull your car up and they will help you take it out. The line usually forms around the block on the days they can "shop".

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B.

answers from Minneapolis on

What about a hospital for sick children? They may be able to put them to good use. I know when My daughter was in childrens they had given her a toy after having to recieve an IV in the "treatment room". Im sure a place like ronald Mc donald house or another non profit could use them.
B.

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M.

answers from Minneapolis on

What about crisis centers or nurseries? I bet they would take them there is one in minneapolis I know. I will try to see if I can find it I used to know the website and I cannot remember it now. Childrens hospital takes them I did just find that online.
M.

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L.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

What about donating them to your local school or church? I know our school is always looking for toys for the class rooms.

L.

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A.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

You could try crisis nurseries or homeless shelters? I guess another option could be hold on to them until next christmas and donate to toy's for tots.

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B.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

Battered Woman's Shelter

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C.

answers from Duluth on

Hi R.,
I have donated to a place in Duluth, MN called the Domiono Center. They are located on about 4th Street in the West Central Area. They don't sell anything they give it away. People go there and get what they want. I donated clothes, I don't know if they take toys. I think that they would. They seem to me to be a great way to donate to the people that can't afford the essentials. This is a great way to give to the people who really need it. Thanks for helping out without trying to make a profit out of it on yourself. It is a great way to teach your children how they can really help.

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D.

answers from Milwaukee on

You could donate them to a childrens hospital. I'm sure they could use some toys. D.

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C.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am not sure where you live, but I recently found out about a family that lost their house and everything in it to a fire over the weekend. I have a neighbor gathering together donations for them--they have 2 boys and a girl I believe. Let me know if you want more info.

C.
____@____.com

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T.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

I joined a yahoo group - freecycle.org - it's where you post things that you want to give away to others in your area, and they respond. you decide who you want to give it to, they come to your door and pick up (or you could make other arrangements). I've gotten a lot of things that I needed (even a nursing pillow for my twins!), and have given away things to other families. I always respond to the lower income families in need first.
Or, why don't you just ebay it? then spend the money on things that you do need, spring is coming and all the $$ I'm making on ebay I'm respending on spring & summer clothes for my kids.

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S.M.

answers from Green Bay on

Hi R.
Do you have a caring house in your area? That's always a great place to donate items because mom and kids go there with nothing but the clothes on their back sometimes.

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J.S.

answers from Rochester on

I don't know where you live, but in Olmsted county there is a Crisis Nursery that helps families. Every other month they have 'giveaways' where families can come in and get things they need for their family. They take used and new toys, books, clothes and new diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies and toiletries. The items are not sold, they are given for free.

If this is not an option for you donating to places like Salvation Army or Savers still benefits families. The items may be sold, but Salvation army uses the money to fund their programs, such as homeless shelter. Savers uses the money for the Epilepsy Foundation.

I hope this helps!
J.

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L.E.

answers from Green Bay on

If they are new toys and still in the box donate them to the pediatric dept at the local hospitals.

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J.

answers from St. Cloud on

Definitely, your local child care center. Yes, some people will resale!!??

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A.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I work for Christian Cupboard it is a local foodshelf and we service washington county. We always need stuff like that. We make up birthday bags for the children of the clients that come here to see us. People always forget about things as simple as that after Christmas. Food is also at an all time low too.

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M.K.

answers from Duluth on

Hi R.,
I am a member of The Giving Club at River Valley Church in Apple Valley. We're pooling our money and resources and seeking out families in need by word of mouth and also random acts of kindness. If you would be interested in this, please let me know. We do not sell or make any profit from this, we seek families or individuals in need and give straight to them. We're looking for more members and resources, if anyone is interested. You do not have to be a member of the church to participate.
Thank you!
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Milwaukee on

I take excess toys to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee or you could go to a local church. They would have some good ideas.

Good luck!!

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A.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

A. 501c3 non-profit charity announces
the kickoff of our Christmas Angels Program on November 1st through
which we provide Christmas to 100s of area children who would not
otherwise have anything under the tree on Christmas morning.Since we
receive no funding we rely strictly on the tax deductible donations of
our community & this year we expect over 1000 children.We have
volunteers to pickup donated toys(new&LIGHTLY used),Bikes,baby
needs,gifts for older children,warm clothing,food for holiday
baskets,computers,laptops&other electronics such as mp3
playesr,ipods,tablets etc,donations can also be made via paypal on our
website angelswithfaithministries.beep.com
We are hosting a 1 day Christmas Angels festival& Toy drive fundraiser
event at Jug tavern Park & Pavillion on December 1st from 7 am until 7
pm.We have live music being played all day by local groups
country,gospel & Christmas music, free moonwalks,facepainting & of
course Santa for the kids,a Cutest Kids contest (everyone is welcome
to enter those cute kids see details on our website)with the grand
prize being donated by Disney World Orlando,games,a bake sale
(donations needed by November 30th PLEASE),silent auctions for
authentic autographed Nascar,music & sports legends,raffles all day
for those who donate new toys,bikes(new or lightly used),food,gift
cards,or by credit card,check or cash for every donation you will
receive a raffle ticket for these drawings to be held every 30 minutes
for GREAT prizes donated by area merchants.We will also have our Angel
Tree from which you can choose a family or families to adopt or
sponsor for Christmas & choose to meet & work with that family
personally or through us.ALL donations are tax deductible & 100% of
ALL donations go directly to providing Christmas gifts,warm clothing &
holiday food baskets to Georgia childen.PLEASE come out & show your
support & love for Georgias littlest angels!Applications for Christmas
assistance available through DFCS & also childens hospital,disabled
military groups,Toys for Tots,Salvation Army,etc & can also be emailed
to us here after November 1st.You must live in georgia,have a true
financial need for assistance & you must not be receiving Christmas
help from anywhere else,we will check.
If you are a vendor & would like to reserve a spot to sell your arts &
crafts,Christmas items,etc please call asap deadline is November 22nd
we have 15 spots available for a $25 donation you can have a spot for
the busiest shopping weekend of the month,you must provide your own
tables & all vendors must remember that we are a Christian charity so
no profanity etc will be sold. Lori,director 678-754-1541/Rev Michael
Tuck ###-###-#### volunteers Avis ###-###-#### Vickie ###-###-####
email ____@____.com

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V.

answers from Minneapolis on

the best place i found is the minneapolis greater crisis nurrsery center. you can find them online. they have a location in golden valley

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M.T.

answers from Eau Claire on

You could donate them to like a shelter for women with kids like the Bacon House or sometihng like that. I use to stay at the Baco House and they are great there. And the toys will be giving to kids and not sold.

L.C.

answers from Janesville-Beloit on

Try your local Freecycle board. Sometimes there are people looking for specific things and others that has lost things due to fire or moving. Sometimes people are just down on their luck and are looking for things to help with birthday presents, etc.

DH and I have gone through a tough spot for the past year and things were really bad right before Christmas. People on my Freecycle board helped us out a lot.

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