19 NYC Metro Area Toy Drives and Charities

 

Top NYC Metro Area Toy Drives and Charities to Support This Year
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19 NYC Metro Area Toy Drives and Charities

The holiday season is a wonderful time to show how thankful you are for life’s blessings by giving to those who are less fortunate. There are many ways to help those in need this year around the NYC metro area. Take a look at our guide to find out how you can help make a difference this holiday season.

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Manhattan Toy Drives and Charities 

NYC Mammas Give Back

601 West 26th St., Suite M287
646-535-3055
Facebook Instagram
This nonprofit helps pregnant women, families, and kids (ages 0–5) in the NYC area who are facing homelessness and poverty by providing essentials and support for pregnancy, postpartum care, and early childhood. You can donate right from their Amazon Wishlist, on their website via PayPal, or by mailing a check.

New York State of Mind (NYSoM)

Facebook • Instagram
888C 8th Ave. 
NYSoM collects toys, children’s books, and supplies to benefit children and families during the holidays. These items will be distributed at NYSoM HolidayMania on Saturday, December 21. Suggested donations include new or used toys, children’s books, sports equipment, and school supplies, and can be picked up or dropped off. 

Toys for Tots – New York City 

Various locations
Facebook • Instagram
Run by the U.S. Marine Corps, Toys for Tots collects and distributes toys to children in need during the holidays so they can experience the joys of the season. Visit the website to find local campaigns throughout the city or make a monetary donation.

Gobble Gobble Give NYC

Apollo Theater
Facebook Instagram
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
This year marks the 27th of Gobble Gobble Give delivering food, clothing, and toiletries to the homeless every Thanksgiving since 1998. The Apollo in Harlem will again be a site for meal preparation and donation drop-off, where Thanksgiving meals, clothing, blankets, toiletries, and toys will be collected and distributed to local charities. Register online in advance to drop off a toy.

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Race to Deliver

Central Park
212-294-8100
FacebookInstagram
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 24; 8 am
Join this 4-mile run/walk in Central Park to support God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that works to improve the health and well-being of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses by preparing and delivering nutritious, high-quality meals.

Coalition for the Homeless

129 Fulton St.
212-776-2000
FacebookInstagram
Help make the holidays brighter for homeless children by supporting the Coalition for the Homeless Toy Drive, a charity that distributes more than 5,000 gifts to boys and girls living in New York City shelters.

New York Cares

39 Broadway, 27th Fl.
212-228-5000
FacebookInstagram
For the last 30 years, New York Cares has organized the city’s largest winter coat drive, gathering more than 1.8 million coats for those in need. For a map of drop-off locations where you can donate a warm coat to someone in need, visit the website. The organization also offers many volunteer opportunities.

Ronald McDonald House 

405 East 73rd St.
212-639-0100
Facebook •  Instagram
The Ronald McDonald House provides accommodations for families whose children are receiving medical care at nearby hospitals. Monetary donations are accepted online.

New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund

4 World Trade Center, Floor 29 150 Greenwich St.
646-731-9630
FacebookInstagram
The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund helps support the families of NYC Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Police, and EMS personnel who have lost their lives on the job. Check out their website to find out how you can lend a hand or make a donation.

Citymeals on Wheels 

355 Lexington Ave.
212-687-1234
FacebookInstagram
Citymeals on Wheels serves to ensure elderly people in the community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently. You can help support the program in a variety of ways, including delivering meals, creating hand-made cards, or being a kitchen or officer helper.

DOROT

171 W 85 St.
212-769-2850
Facebook
This organization helps seniors by providing an array of programs and services throughout New York City and Westchester. Youth and families can help by visiting elders at their homes to brighten their holidays, deliver holiday packages, and create birthday and holiday cards.

USPS Operation Santa

Various locations
Facebook • Instagram
Help grant the wishes of children in need who write letters to Santa through the U.S. Postal Service each year. Generous volunteers can “adopt” a letter, buy the item requested, and bring it to the post office to pay to mail the gift to the child. Learn more about how to get involved on the website. Letter adoption begins Nov. 18.

Disney Ultimate Toy Drive

Multiple locations
Facebook • Instagram

For over 100 years, Disney has been spreading happiness to families, and this year, they’re partnering with the Marine Toys for Tots program to deliver toys and smiles to kids in need. Visit DisneyStore.com to donate a toy by December 24, 2024.

Queens Toy Drives and Charities

Holiday Shoebox Appeal

New York Irish Center
1040 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, NY
WHEN: December 7, 1-6 pm
In this annual day of action, volunteers meet to wrap gifts for underprivileged children. The goal is 1,000 gifts for 1,000 children.

Hance Family Foundation

130 Tulip Ave., Floral Park
Facebook
Instagram
WHEN: November 1st through Dec. 18
After Warren and Jackie Hance lost their daughters, they created a lasting legacy in honor of their girls. The Hance Family Foundation offers programs to help communities, including a toy drive for children in need in Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn. Drop-off sites are listed on the website where you can also make a monetary donation that will be used to buy gifts for children in need.

Brooklyn Toy Drives and Charities

Little Essentials

74 Grand Ave. #1C
646-850-3611 
Facebook Instagram
This organization supports at-risk families living in poverty by providing essential children’s supplies and parenting education, promoting the health, well-being, and safety of children aged five years and younger. You can donate your time, money, or high-need items in via Amazon or Walmart.

Family Health Centers at NYU Langone

Sunset Park Family Health Center Pediatrics Clinic
5610 2nd Ave.
212-404-3640
FacebookInstagram

The Family Health Centers at NYU Langone are hosting their annual toy drive on December 18, 2024, from 11:30 am to 1 pm to support local kids and families who might not be able to get gifts this holiday season. They’re inviting the community to join in by donating new, unwrapped toys for children. The FHC is also giving toys to school programs for migrant families in need. Plus, there’ll be a fun photo opportunity with Santa for both parents and kids.

CAMBA Holiday Toy Drive

1720 Church Ave.
718-282-0108
FacebookInstagram
Drop-off Locations to be announced
This NYC-based nonprofit serves more than 65,000 people each year throughout the city. It works to improve the lives of New Yorkers through a variety of programs including homelessness prevention, supportive housing, and employment training. The organization also holds holiday toy drives for children living in Queens, Brooklyn, and Bronx shelters.

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Bronx Toy Drives and Charities

CAMBA Holiday Toy Drive

718-287-2600
FacebookInstagram
Drop-off Locations to be announced
This NYC-based nonprofit serves more than 65,000 people each year throughout the city. It works to improve the lives of New Yorkers through a variety of programs including homelessness prevention, supportive housing, and employment training. The organization also holds holiday toy drives for children living in Queens, Brooklyn, and Bronx shelters.

Here at New York Family, we could not love the holidays more and that’s why we’ve created A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide! We’ve got everything you need to make 2024 your family’s best holiday ever: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa events, tree lightings, holiday light shows, gift guide, holiday shopping ideas, books, movies, elf ideas and so much more!

 

Relevant Directory Listings

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Polaris Productions Theater Camp

<p>Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They’ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child’s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They’ll have fun! At camp’s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.</p>

TADA! Youth Theater

<div> <div style="text-align: center;">Endless Options-Endless Fun! TADA! is so excited to offer weekend and after school classes, week long private and public school camps, and our Broadway 1-Day camps available for ages 3-14!  </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Winter/Spring Semester Classes</strong><br />Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Gotta Act! Join TADA! Youth Theater this Winter and Spring for after-school and weekend musical theater classes available to students ages 3-14! Throughout the semester students will engage in musical theater training, learn vocals and choreography to the latest Broadway hits, and experience ensemble based instruction with two NYC teaching artists.  Not only does our musical theater training inspire creativity, foster self-expression, and build confidence, but our classes also encourage students to explore and connect with others, creating lifelong friendships and a love for the arts.</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Limited spots available! All of our classes take place in person at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+W.+28th+Street?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/maps/search/15%2BW.%2B28th%2BStreet?entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw2_eBpQuG9WbMH_ETP9cDKN">15 W. 28th Street</a> (between Broadway & 5th) and culminate in a final sharing for an invited audience</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Classes Schedule:</strong><br />Mondays:<br />Mondays, Ages 4-5 | 3:45PM-5:15PM<br />Mondays, Ages 6-8 | 3:45PM-5:15PM<br />Tuesdays:<br />Tuesdays, Ages 12-14 | 4:15PM-5:45PM<br />Wednesdays:<br />Wednesday, Ages 8-12 | 4PM-5:30PM<br />Saturdays:<br />Saturdays, Ages 3-4 | 10AM-11AM<br />Saturdays, Ages 5-7 | 10AM-11:30AM<br />Saturday, Ages 8-12 | 12N-1:30PM</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Class Descriptions:</strong><br />AGES 3-5, MUSICAL THEATER MINIS: Creativity takes center stage! In this upbeat, high-energy class, your Musical Theater Mini will learn new introductory skills in the areas of singing, dancing, and acting. Each session, students participate in fun, creative-play activities as well as learn vocals and choreography to popular Broadway songs. At the end of the semester, your young star will belt out their favorite show tunes for an invited audience.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">AGES 5-8, JAZZY JUNIORS and AGES 8-12, RISING STARS: This class offers the perfect blend of musical theater exploration and fun theater games to keep kids creative and active all semester long!  Each session, students participate in musical theater training as well as learn vocals and choreography to popular Broadway songs. By the end of the semester, they’ll be ready to confidently shine in their final sharing for an invited audience.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">AGES 12-14, BROADWAY BOUND: Let passion ignite, talent soar, and dreams take center stage!  Watch as students step into the spotlight and unleash their inner Broadway star in our advanced musical theater class for tweens & teens!  Throughout the semester, students will immerse themselves in the world of Broadway, learning iconic songs and exploring diverse theatrical styles. By the semester’s end, they’ll proudly showcase their talents in a spectacular cabaret-style musical revue. This isn’t just about performing—it’s about embracing the magic of musical theater, forging lasting friendships with fellow performers, and stepping into a world where every moment onstage feels like a standing ovation.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week Long Private and Public School Camps:</strong><br />When School is out, TADA! is in!  Now offering Week-long Public & Private School Break Camps for ages 4-5 & 5-9 this February, March, and April!  </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Write it! Rehearse it! Perform it! Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling. Each week, students co-create an original musical in just five days!  Have your child unleash their inner star, share their voice, and create memories that will last a lifetime.  Join us for a week of laughter, creativity, and applause! Don't miss out on the most epic musical theater adventure of the school year!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Spots are limited so don’t miss out! Our in-person camps take place at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+W.+28th+Street?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/maps/search/15%2BW.%2B28th%2BStreet?entry%3Dgmail%26source%3Dg&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw2_eBpQuG9WbMH_ETP9cDKN">15 W. 28th Street</a> (between Broadway & 5th).  </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">*On the last day of all camps, we invite friends and family to attend the debut of your child’s original mini-musical!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week-long Public School Break Camps:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />February 17-21 |  Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | I Wish My Life Was A Musical! | | $795 <br />April 22-26 | Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | The Show Must Go On! | | $795</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Week-long Private School Break Camps:</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />March 17-21<br />Ages 4-5, M-F, 9AM-1:30PM | Pirates & Princesses! | | $500 <br />Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | The Show Must Go On! | | | $795 <br />March 24-28<br />Ages 4-5, M-F, 9AM-1:30PM | Unicorns, Mermaids, Dinosaurs, OH MY! | | $500<br />Ages 5-9, M-F, 9AM-5PM | I Wish My Life Was A Musical! | $795</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Learn more & register today! </strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/school-break-camps-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/school-break-camps-3/&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw2R13yNUGcd6RlQy0FsVMm1">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/school-<wbr />break-camps-3/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Looking for a sample class? Join us at our In-person Open House on January 11th, 2025!<br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/open-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/open-house/&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw0Nt2sRC86LUUhaw4DgKX5N">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/open-house/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">No child should be turned away because of their inability to pay. Financial Assistance available.<br /><a href="https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/financial-assistance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://tadatheater.com/education-overview/financial-assistance/&source=gmail&ust=1736890280366000&usg=AOvVaw0W6olBN_Kib7HEmnv4Bq3Y">https://tadatheater.com/<wbr />education-overview/financial-<wbr />assistance/</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Broadway 1-Day Camps</strong></div> <div style="text-align: center;">When School is out, TADA! is in! Join us for a fun-filled day learning vocals and choreography to a show-stopping musical number from a hit Broadway or movie musical. Our 1-day camps include vocal training, dance technique, exhilarating choreography, and fun theater activities led by two professional NYC Teaching Artists. Don’t miss a jam-packed day of musical theater fun!</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">Monday, January 20th (MLK Day) | Wicked <br />Wednesday, January 29th (Lunar New Year) | The Little Mermaid <br />Monday, March 31 (Eidal-Fitr) | Frozen <br />Thursday, June 5th (Eidal-Adha) | Matilda <br />Friday, June 6th (Clerical Day) | The Greatest Showman <br />Thursday, June 19th (Juneteenth) | Moana <br />Friday, June 27th (Public School is out) | The Lion King <br />Monday, June 30th (July 4th week) | Trolls <br />Tuesday, July 1st  (July 4th week) | Wicked <br />Wednesday, July 2nd (July 4th week) | Newsies <br /><br /></div> </div> <div> <div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div dir="ltr"> <div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

The Little Gym of Bay Ridge- Bensonhurst

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">At The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurt, we specialize in unique, educational classes that revolve around active play. We give children a safe and inspiring space to direct their energy, build confidence, and develop key skills. Explore the range of classes we offer at The Little Gym of Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst to find the one that’s just right for your child. </span></p>