From Giving Tuesday through New Year’s, the holidays are all about giving. Many organizations in the region, including Westchester County Government, are making it a priority to give back and are calling for toys and monetary donations to provide gifts to children and families who might not otherwise have them. Some even organize toy drive events. Read on to learn about Hudson Valley’s holiday drives that collect toys for children.
Do you know of a toy promotion or event that is not on the list? Email santrum@lohud.com and the story will be updated.
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Westchester County’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive
Join the County of Westchester as it raises gifts and monetary donations for 1,000 area children who are in foster care, homeless or receiving other protective and preventative social services. The province is seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys suitable for newborns through 21-year-olds, which can be dropped off at one of the province’s six drop-off locations during business hours.
The province asks that no stuffed animals or violent toys be donated.
When: Now through Monday, December 16.
Where: Donations can be dropped off at various locations:
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Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains.
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Department of Social Services Central Office, 112 E. Post Rd., White Plains.
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Peekskill District Office, 750 Washington St., Peekskill.
For more information: Contact Barbara Sabater by phone at 914-995-1937 or by email at bms7@WestchesterCountyNY.gov.
Students at the Charter School of Educational Excellence in Yonkers pack up donated toys as the highlight of a toy drive at the school on December 20, 2023. Members of the Helping Hands Club, an after-school club, collected toys, dolls and other holiday gifts to be delivered to Graham Wyndham, a Harlem-based organization that provides foster care, adoption services and other child welfare programs for children and families.
Open Door Foundation’s annual Toy Drive
Open Door Family Medical Center will continue its annual tradition of collecting and donating toys to underserved children and families this holiday season. Through its foundation, the organization plans to distribute more than 3,000 new, unwrapped toys and gift cards to its young patients, from newborns to 14 years old. Open Door offers several ways to contribute: Buy toys from the Toys & Gifts Wish List, donate money, or help virtually by purchasing items from the organization’s Amazon Wish List.
Open Door requests that no stuffed animals, toy guns or oversized toys be donated.
The organization is also looking for volunteers to help by organizing toy drives, collecting toys, and organizing and distributing gifts to children (called “Santa Day Helpers”).
When: Now through Sunday, December 15.
Where: Please contact Open Door’s Holiday Department to schedule donation drop-off. Read on for their contact details.
For more information: Contact the Holiday Department by phone at 914-606-1858 or by email at holiday@odfmc.org.
Students at the Charter School of Educational Excellence in Yonkers pack donated toys as the highlight of a toy drive at the school on Dec. 20, 2023. Members of the Helping Hands Club, an after-school club, collected toys, dolls and other gifts to deliver for the holidays to Graham Wyndham, a Harlem-based organization that provides foster care, adoption services and other child welfare programs for children and families.
100 Hispanic Women’s Annual Three Kings Toy Drive
The Westchester County Program of 100 Hispanic Women National is hosting its annual toy drive and celebration event. Join us “for an evening of giving back and spreading the holiday cheer,” the drive’s Eventbrite page says. Come to the event with a new, unwrapped toy and donate for $10 off tickets and enjoy a “festive atmosphere” while making a difference.
Tickets for this event are $75 without toy donation or $65 with toy donation.
When: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Tuesday, December 3.
Where: Zuppa Restaurant, 59 Main St., Yonkers.
For more information: Contact 100 Hispanic Women National by phone at 646-689-2264 or by email at 100hispanicwomen@gmail.com.
Students at the Charter School of Educational Excellence in Yonkers pack up donated toys as the highlight of a toy drive at the school on December 20, 2023. Members of the Helping Hands Club, an after-school club, collected toys, dolls and other holiday gifts to be delivered to Graham Wyndham, a Harlem-based organization that provides foster care, adoption services and other child welfare programs for children and families.
The Child Care Council of Westchester’s annual Toy Drive
The Child Care Council of Westchester is partnering with Toys for Tots for another year to collect toys so “every child can experience the joy of the holidays,” according to the drive’s web page. The organization is seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys, from stuffed animals to books, for children of all ages.
Interested parties can also help virtually by purchasing items from the Child Care Council’s Amazon Wish List.
When: Now through Monday, December 16.
Where: Donations can be dropped off at the Child Care Council of Westchester, 313 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale.
For more information: Check out the Toy Drive webpage at childcarewestchester.org/about/news/item/609-donate-a-toy-today.
Child Care Council of Westchester Winter Festival 2024
In addition to the Child Care Council’s toy drive, the organization organizes a Winter Festival where toy donations are collected. The event includes festive holiday activities such as music, hot chocolate and photos with Santa; those who bring a toy donation will receive a free digital photo with Santa.
RSVP and time slot reservations are required to attend this event. Read on for registration details.
When: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday, December 2.
Where: Child Care Council of Westchester, 313 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale.
For more information: Register to participate in the 2024 Winter Festival at childcarewestchester.org/events/item/617-2024-winter-festival.
Samantha Antrum reports on cultural and social justice issues and events in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. You can reach her by email at santrum@lohud.com.
This article originally appeared in Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Christmas, Hanukkah 2024: Holiday toy drives in Westchester, Rockland
