The holidays mean dozens of opportunities for New Yorkers to donate new toys, books or games, drop off wish list items or attend free community giveaways. And it matters more than ever: Recent data released by the Advocates for Children of New York shows a record number of the city’s students — more than 150,000 — are in temporary housing.
All toys should be new and unwrapped, in their original packaging, and all toy giveaways are for as long as supplies last unless otherwise noted.
QUEENS
Queens Borough Hall— holiday tree lighting and toy giveaway
It’s not all toys and games — come for the tree lighting and giveaway and stay for the live performances and sweet treats. Join Borough President Donovan Richards at the annual holiday tree lighting at Borough Hall. One toy per child, while supplies last.
- Where: In front of Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens
- When: Monday, Dec. 15, 6 to 8 p.m.
- RSVP: queensbp.nyc.gov/rsvp (RSVP required)
- Learn more.
Forest Hills Stadium — third annual holiday toy drive
Forest Hills Stadium is hosting a toy drive in partnership with Queens Community House, labor union IATSE Local 4 and West Side Tennis Club (which manages the stadium). Several neighborhood banks, bars and restaurants have been collecting toys these past few weeks. The collection also includes an Amazon gift registry for neighbors who want to donate but can’t drop off gifts in person.
On the final day of the toy drive, the stadium will host a celebration including performances from local artists, light refreshments and family-friendly activities.
- Celebration: Sunday, Dec. 14, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 14
- Learn more.
Queens Center— holiday toy giveaway
If you’re going to do some last-minute shopping anyway, you might as well stop by the toy giveaway at Queens Center Mall. QC Mall partnered with Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens to collect toys for this distribution event.
- Giveaway: Dec. 17, 4 to 7 p.m.
- Where: Level 2 near Auntie Anne’s
- Last date to donate: Dec. 17
- Learn more.
BROOKLYN
Brooklyn Museum— 6th annual toy drive and giveaway
With museums among the best family-friendly refuges from the cold, visitors can stop by the admissions desk in the lobby to drop off toys for children up to age 14. Donors will receive 20% off in the shop as a thank you.
At the giveaway event, you can pick up toys, clothing, coloring books and other holiday gifts for kids. While you’re there, enjoy a festive lineup of art-making activities for all ages.
Note: Large wagons and pushcarts are not allowed. Large bags will be provided. Afterward, any remaining toys will be donated to local family shelters.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 13
- Giveaway: Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: 200 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn
- Learn more.
BKLYN Commons — annual toy drive giveaway
You can be an attendee and/or a volunteer at the toy giveaway hosted by this Brooklyn co-working space.
- For Attendees: To receive toys, a child must be present at the event. You should arrive early to check in and complete the required survey, which BKLYN Commons says helps it better serve the community.
- For Volunteers: Shifts available between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
As a volunteer, you can support setup, toy sorting, registration, distribution, crowd management and cleanup.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Where: 495 Flatbush Ave.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 20
Bay Ridge Cares — pajama drive
While not a toy drive, this pajama drive provides new PJs for kids, teens and adults served by hospitals and domestic violence shelters right before the holidays.
- Drop-off locations (call for hours):
City Council member Justin Brannan’s office: 8203 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn
Community Board 10 district office: 8119 5th Ave. in Brooklyn
The Bookmark Shoppe: 8415 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn
Santander Bank: 9512 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn
- Last date to donate: Dec. 12
- Learn more.
MANHATTAN
Coalition for the Homeless —holiday toy drive
The Coalition — the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service nonprofit helping homeless individuals and families — distributes thousands of gifts to children living in shelters.
- Three ways to support:
- Make a fully tax-deductible donation toward the drive here.
- Buy a toy on its Amazon wish list. You can also get a tax receipt this way by filling out this form or sending your receipt to toydrive@cfthomeless.org.
- Scan an augmented reality “giving tree”: On your mobile device, visit childrenstreenyc.com, place a bauble on the tree and then donate to the Coalition for the Homeless Toy Drive.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 14
- Learn more.
NYU Langone — holiday toy drive
This major health care system is accepting online donations for children’s toys, books or games to help kids in Brooklyn and on Long Island. One $20 donation equals one gift for a child NYU Langone serves through the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island Pediatric Center and other local communities.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 12
- Donate online here.
- Learn more.
- Email communitygiving@nyulangone.org for more information.
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen— toy drive
Holy Apostles is partnering with City Council member Erik Bottcher to collect toys to distribute to New York City kids in need. Bottcher’s office says its staff is hoping to collect even more than the 2,000 distributed last year. They’re accepting toys suitable for children ages 3 months to 17 years.
- Toys can be dropped off at the following locations and will then be delivered to Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in Chelsea, one of NYC’s largest emergency food programs:
Erik Bottcher’s District Office: 224 W. 30th St., Suite 1206, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily
West Village Houses Management Office: 642 Washington St., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Penn South Security Office: 312 W. 25th St., 24 hours daily
Manhattan Plaza Building Lobbies: 400 and 484 W. 43rd St., 24 hours daily
- Last date to donate: Dec. 12 before 2 p.m.
- Learn more.
THE BRONX
Crimson and Cream— community giveback
This giveback is organized by women in the Bronx alumni and Epsilon Tau chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (whose colors are crimson and cream) and the men of the Bronx alumni and Omicron chapters of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity — part of the Divine Nine of Black Greek-letter organizations. The event features toys, books, crafts and treats for kids.
- Distribution event: Dec. 13, 1-4 p.m.
- Learn more.
CITYWIDE
United Federation of Teachers — toy drive
The union is collecting new toys for children from birth to age 16. Here’s how to help NYC teachers further help kids.
- Various ways to support:
- Donate with credit or debit card via PayPal by clicking the “Donate” button below.
- Drop off your donations at a UFT borough office.
- Buy an item online and drop it off, or have it shipped to the UFT to arrive by Dec. 17 at:
UFT Elementary Schools Division
52 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10004
The following UFT offices will be accepting your donations:
- Brooklyn: Charles HoSang, 718-852-4900
- Bronx: Christine O’Callaghan, 718-379-6200
- Manhattan: Glen Lopez, 212-598-9272
- Queens: Lamar Hughes, 718-275-4400
- Staten Island: Nicole Puglia, 718-605-1400
- Last date to donate: Dec. 17 (items must arrive by the 17th)
- Learn more.
NYSoM — holiday gift drive and HolidayMania distribution
New York State of Mind runs one of the few toy drives we found that accepts not just new but also gently used (in good condition) toys, books, school supplies and sports equipment.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 20 (the date of distribution)
- Distribution event: Saturday, Dec. 20
- Mail donations to: 888C 8th Ave. in Manhattan
- Learn more.
- Email info@nysomgroup.org for more information.
Toys for Tots — official NYC campaign (Marine Corps)
The Marine Corps Reserve partners with dozens of community sites across the city to collect toys for kids in need.
- Last date to donate: Dec. 16.
- Main NYC receiving site: 1 Aviation Rd., Brooklyn
- Learn more.
- Various ways to support:
- Buy an item online from this “virtual toy box.”
- Find a physical drop-off site for toys here.
- Donate on the website by clicking here. Specify in writing that you would like the donation to be directed to the NYC Toys for Tots Campaign.
- Make a donation check payable to “Marine Toys for Tots Foundation” and mail to: Attn: Gunnery Sergeant Trevor Hilgendorf
TFT Coordinator
1 Aviation Rd.
Brooklyn, NY 11234
CAMBA — holiday toy drive
CAMBA — a nonprofit that supports New Yorkers with housing, education, job training, family support, health and legal aid — is asking neighbors to help children experiencing homelessness in one of its six family shelters across Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. You can donate a toy, game or item on its Amazon wish list.
- Complete this toy drive donation form.
- Drop-off deadline: Dec. 19.
- Where: Multiple sites and Amazon wish list.
- Learn more.
- Email CAMBA’s development director at development@camba.org for more information.
Know of another upcoming toy drive or giveaway in NYC? Email us at hello@epicenter-nyc.com.
