9 Organizations That Accept Toy and Stuffed Animal Donations
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
The holiday season is a time for giving and receiving gifts — especially toys. Donating toys to charitable organizations and toy drives is a special way to give back during this time of year, but it can be hard to pin down the best places to donate toys in your area.
Thankfully, there are several national organizations where you can donate toys to spread joy throughout the U.S. to kids and families in need. Read on to check out where to donate toys, whether they're new or gently used.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army's Angel Tree program provides new toys and clothes to nearly 1 million children each year. The organization has also collaborated with Walmart for over 40 years to set up Christmas trees in stores that are covered with the wish lists of registered recipients — donors can purchase new items that are on the recipients' wish lists and follow instructions to shop for the gifts online.
You can find a tree at your local Walmart Angel Tree Registry or shop directly on Walmart’s Spark Good Registry. You can also donate gently used toys to your local Salvation Army donation center.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots was formed by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1991 to provide new toys to children in need. The organization also hosts multiple local toy drives in various locations around the country, but you can also donate toys online.
Stuffed Animals For Emergencies
Specifically looking to donate stuffed animals? Reach out to Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE). Since 1997, the organization's purpose has been to help children in traumatic or emergency situations through donations of stuffed animals. They accept new and gently used stuffed animals, and they encourage donors to launder and clean all toys before sending them in to donate.
The Arc
You can donate toys to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through The Arc. Since 1950, this organization has grown to over 600 state and national chapters, and you can find your local chapter on their website.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Since 1977, Ronald McDonald House Charities have provided support and resources to families with children who are undergoing hospital stays. The organization accepts donations of new toys all year round. You can search for a local chapter to donate directly through their online wish lists.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides care to children living with serious illnesses, and they accept new toy donations all year. You can mail donations directly to the organization or shop their Amazon Wish Lists by age group and need. Just keep in mind that there are certain toy categories (like stuffed animals) that the organization cannot accept.
Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive
Since 2006, Operation Homefront has collaborated with Dollar Tree on their annual Holiday Toy Drive. Dollar Tree provides in-store collection boxes to encourage shoppers to donate new toys to children of military families facing financial hardship. Collection boxes are available through November 30.
Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons is an organization that provides new and gently used goods to kids ranging from newborns through age 12. While the organization's main focus is on clothing donations, you can also give children's books that adhere to their donation guidelines. Cradles to Crayons has locations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and you can find a local drop-off on their site.
Goodwill
There are more than 3,300 Goodwill stores in the U.S. This organization accepts new and gently used toys that are resold in their retail stores at steeply discounted prices.
You Might Also Like
