SoCal toy drives: Where to donate and how to participate

It’s present giving season, and also you’ve in all probability made your listing of household and associates to buy and what to purchase them.

As you’re making your method by means of that listing, although, you would possibly take into account including yet one more particular person: a toddler or household in want.

Each vacation season, organizations massive and small maintain toy drives to gather donations of recent and unwrapped toys for youngsters of all ages, distributing them to children on or earlier than Christmas.

There are many methods to become involved in one in all these charity occasions. For instance, you’ve in all probability seen a big field bearing the emblem of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program at taking part shops, or a Salvation Military “Angel” tree at your native Walmart, or a donation bin for the “CHiPs for Youngsters” drive at a California Freeway Patrol workplace. The items collected in these bigger efforts will go to youngsters in Southern California and, in some circumstances, different elements of the US.

Native organizations are additionally accumulating donated toys that can go on to youths in the neighborhood. There’s nonetheless time so as to add a toy to your present listing. Listed here are quite a few neighborhood occasions the place toys shall be given out and native organizations which can be having toy drives.

Native toy giveaways

Compton
Santa shall be dropping off a stash of toys for youngsters on Saturday, Dec.10, on the Buffalo Spot in Compton for the sixth Annual Toy Giveaway. Starting at 9 a.m., youngsters of all ages can obtain one free toy whereas provides final. A baby should be current to obtain a toy.

The occasion will happen at 961 S. Lengthy Seashore Blvd. in Compton, and it’ll final till all toys are handed out.

Montecito Heights
The Sycamore Park Foursquare Church is internet hosting a vacation drive-through occasion Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. Meals and items shall be given out on a first-come, first-served foundation whereas provides final. Households current are eligible for groceries, toys, goodie baggage for teenagers, diapers, child garments, child method and treats. Kids should be current to obtain toys and goodie baggage.

The church is at 4328 N. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles.

Inglewood
Inglewood Metropolis Councilwoman Dionne Faulk is internet hosting a Christmas Toy Giveaway on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to midday. The occasion is for the residents of the Darby-Dixon neighborhood solely. Residents who need to take part must register with the councilwoman’s workplace forward of the occasion by calling 310-412-8605. The giveaway shall be at 3215 Bartdon Ave. in Inglewood. People who didn’t register forward of the occasion is not going to be eligible for a toy.

WIN Los Angeles, the Inglewood Southside Christian Church and God Saves World Mission are internet hosting a toy giveaway Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to midday. The household occasion is first come, first served. Households are welcome to both stroll up or drive as much as the occasion, the place they’ll obtain a free toy, meals, diapers, child wipes and different gadgets whereas provides final. The occasion will happen on the Inglewood Southside Christian Church, 3937 W. 104th St. in Inglewood. For extra info, name (424) 209-8843. This giveaway remains to be accepting toy donations.

Huntington Park
Residents of Huntington Park are invited to the Winter Wonderland Toy Drive on Dec. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The neighborhood occasion, sponsored by AltaMed, KLVE 107.5 FM and different native medical businesses and broadcasters, will embody a toy giveaway, a man-made ice rink and free haircuts. The occasion can even embody different youngsters’s actions, well being screenings, COVID-19 vaccinations and meals field distributions. The occasion will happen at 3401 E. Florence Ave. in Huntington Park.

Pacoima
The Khalsa Care Basis is internet hosting its annual Drive-Through Vacation Giveaway on Dec. 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 9989 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Pacoima. To take part, drive up (one household per automotive) to the place of worship, put on masks and observe social distancing — walk-ins is not going to be accepted. Giveaway gadgets embody meals baggage, blankets, jackets, socks, gloves, beanies, soccer balls and different toys.

Lancaster
On Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to three p.m., Antelope Valley residents can take part in a vacation drive-through giveaway. Whereas provides final, people can drive as much as the Antelope Valley Transit Authority at 42210 sixth St. in West Lancaster to obtain vacation meal provides, groceries and toys.

The place to donate regionally

Compton
For its 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Toy Drive, the Compton neighborhood is accumulating toys for youngsters ages 5 by means of 12 on Dec. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. The occasion — hosted by Straight Constructing Compton and Pizza Studio in partnership with town of Compton — may have music, meals, household actions, pony rides, a petting zoo and a gaming truck.

You may donate toys on the occasion or at these areas in Compton:

• Compton Metropolis Corridor, 205 S. Willowbrook Ave.
• Grocery Outlet, 2175 Rosecrans Ave.
• Pizza Studio, 1759 S. Alameda St.
• Residence Depot, 101 Towne Heart Drive

Sherman Oaks
The Sherman Oaks Householders Assn. is accumulating toys that shall be distributed by the L.A. County Division of Kids and Household Companies to greater than 70,000 youngsters in want throughout the county. You may take part by dropping off a brand new toy on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gelson’s Market, 4520 Van Nuys Blvd. in Sherman Oaks.

The affiliation has age-appropriate toy suggestions that embody:

• Toddler to five years outdated: stuffed animals, pull toys and constructing blocks.
• 6 to 10 years outdated: dolls, vans, motion figures, Play-Doh, puzzles and books.
• 11 to 12 years outdated: watches, radios, board video games, pc video games, jewellery, music and books.

In the event you don’t have time to seize a present, the affiliation will settle for present certificates for all ages.

MacArthur Park and Lancaster
Pals of the Kids Los Angeles, regionally generally known as Pals LA, is a part of a nationwide community of Pals of the Kids chapters throughout the U.S. that hyperlink youngsters affected by the kid welfare system to a mentor who’s additionally their advocate.

The native chapter is internet hosting its annual vacation drive and present distribution occasion. This 12 months Pals LA has a aim of accumulating 1,000 items for the youths they serve and their households. They want to acquire new and unwrapped toys or clothes for youngsters ages 6 months to 18 years. In addition they are on the lookout for present playing cards and grocery present playing cards for caregivers. The group is accepting donations till Dec. 12.

Los Angeles residents can drop off donations at 672 S. Lafayette Park Place, Suite 33 in Los Angeles. Antelope Valley residents can carry their donations to 539 W. Lancaster Blvd. in Lancaster.

Arcadia
The Downtown Arcadia Enchancment Assn. is internet hosting a Vacation Truthful for the Arcadia neighborhood Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On First Avenue from Huntington Avenue to Diamond Avenue, the neighborhood shall be feted with meals, purchasing cubicles, dwell music and extra.

The affiliation asks that members carry a brand new toy (a ebook or a recreation) for the occasion’s toy drive, which shall be accumulating items close to the place Santa shall be making a visitor look. The toys will later be distributed by the Foothill Unity Heart.

La Habra
Town of La Habra is internet hosting its Vacation Needs Program, which helps youngsters, households and seniors who face difficult circumstances in the course of the vacation season. Town is on the lookout for new and unwrapped toys for youngsters ages 2 to 16. The instructed gadgets embody board video games, puzzles, books and phrase search or crossword puzzles.

Donations could also be delivered by means of Dec. 13 to the La Habra Group Heart, 101 W. La Habra Blvd. You can also make a donation Monday by means of Friday from 8 a.m. to five p.m.

Commerce
South Bay Pop Ups and South Bay Cruise Nights are holding their first annual toy drive together with a automotive and bike present. The household occasion will characteristic music, distributors, a raffle and extra.

Admission is free with a brand new and unwrapped toy, which shall be given to neighborhood organizations such because the Native Hearts Basis, Mission Echo and local people shelters.

The occasion shall be held Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to five p.m. at 6023 Garfield Ave. in Commerce.

Different giving alternatives

The Sufferer’s Help Fund
The Los Angeles District Legal professional’s Sufferer’s Help Fund is holding its annual Vacation Giving Drive, which gives toys, bikes, present certificates and different items to a whole bunch of households which were victims of violent crime. You may assist this system by donating on-line or by mailing a examine to the California Group Basis, 717 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Aviva Household and Kids’s Companies
Aviva, a nonprofit that gives psychological well being companies and different assist to at-risk youth and households, is sponsoring its twenty second annual vacation giving program. To assist, you can also make a monetary donation on-line that the nonprofit will use to select items for its purchasers. Or you should purchase a present from Aviva’s purchasing listing, which incorporates toys, clothes and household necessities. However you’ll must hurry — items should be dropped off by Friday at 4:30 p.m. at 1783 El Cerrito Place in Los Angeles.

Spark of Love
The Spark of Love Toy Drive — a joint effort by ABC7, Southern California firefighters and Toys for Tots — is accumulating new, unwrapped toys and sports activities gear at native fireplace stations and Subaru dealerships. You can too make a financial donation on-line or by mailing a examine to the LAFD Basis on the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Coaching Heart, 1700 Stadium Method #100, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (Make your try to LAFD Basis and write “Spark of Love” within the memo line.)

Proceeds will go to purchasing toys and sports activities gear for youngsters and teenagers in want.

You can too drop off new toys throughout this system’s Stuff a Bus toy assortment occasion. The bus shall be on the following areas:

• Westfield Topanga, 6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, on Dec. 9 from 4:30 a.m. to six:30 p.m.
• Los Cerritos Heart, 239 Cerritos Heart, Cerritos, on Dec. 9 from 4:30 a.m. to six:30 p.m.
• Crimson Robin Restaurant, 390 Bristol St., Santa Ana, on Dec. 16 from 4 a.m. to six:30 p.m.

The toys collected shall be despatched to Spark of Love Toy Central on the Los Angeles Hearth Division, the place they are going to be sanitized, sorted and distributed evenly to households in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura and Riverside counties. The toy drive will run till Dec. 24.

BlackNLA
For its nineteenth annual toy drive, BlackNLA — a company that promotes consciousness of Black-owned companies and occasions within the Los Angeles space — is accumulating items for Drew Baby Growth Corp. and the Heads Up Basis.

BlackNLA has posted Amazon and Goal wishlists of toys and different gadgets that may be bought for at-risk households. The group has enlisted 10 small companies in Los Angeles, Torrance, Carson and Inglewood to just accept donations, however solely by means of Dec. 9.

In the event you don’t have time to buy, BlackNLA is accepting financial donations on-line that it’ll use to buy the presents.

For extra info together with learn how to get your new toys to the group, ship an e-mail to [email protected] or go to blacknla.com/toydrive.

Crime Survivors Useful resource Heart
The Crime Survivors Useful resource Heart is accepting toy donations for the Christmas season. The company is accumulating toys for infants and youngsters as much as age 13 in addition to stuffed animals, blankets, present playing cards, film passes and financial donations.

Toys might be donated by calling (844) 853-4673 or giving a present at taking part Boomers Parks, Albertsons and Irvine Lanes. Name forward to guarantee that the situation close to you is taking part within the effort.