Seasonal & Holidays
2025 Toy Drives In Durham: Where To Donate
Help make the season brighter — donate a toy and spread joy to local children and families in need this holiday season.
The holiday season is filled with joy, lights and celebration — but for some families, it can also bring stress and financial strain. Thankfully, communities like ours step up each year to help make the season brighter for every child.
Here are some places in and around Durham where you can donate toys, gift cards or holiday essentials to support kids and families in need this year. Be sure to reach out directly to each organization to confirm drop-off hours, deadlines and specific items they’re requesting — most drives ask for new, unwrapped gifts.
Toys for Tots – New Haven, CT Chapter
🎁 Accepts new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages.
📍Collection boxes located at local businesses across Middlesex County, including Twin Maples Nursing Home (809 New Haven Rd, Durham, CT) and Lymon Orchards & 1741 Pub & Grill (70 Lyman Rd, Middlefield, CT).
📅Active through mid-December 2025.
📌 Toys are distributed locally through social service agencies.
🔗 More info: new-haven-ct.toysfortots.org
Find out what's happening in Durham-Middlefieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Connecticut Children’s Heroes & Helpers Virtual Toy Drive
🎁 Accepts monetary donations used to purchase toys, games, and art supplies tailored to hospitalized children. In-person donation drop-offs are also available.
📅Virtual: through December 31, 2025; in-person: December 12 and 13, 2025.
📍In-person donations can be dropped off at Connecticut Children's Medical Center, East Hartford warehouse. Timeslots must be reserved online.
Find out what's happening in Durham-Middlefieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📧 Contact: YVinci@connecticutchildrens.org
🔗 More info: connecticutchildrensfoundation.org/events/virtual-toy-drive-2025
CT Lottery Holiday Toy Wallingford Drop-off
🎁 Accepts new, unwrapped toys for Yale New Haven Hospital’s Toy Closet Program.
📍CT Lottery Headquarters, 15 Sterling Dr, Wallingford, CT.
📅November–December 2025 during business hours.
📌 Toys benefit pediatric patients at Yale New Haven Hospital.
🔗 More info: ctlottery.org/holidaytoydrive
Holiday Vendor Fair & Toy Drive – Cromwell
🎁 Accepts new, unwrapped toys at the community vendor fair.
📍Old Well Tavern, 20 Tarrifville Rd, Simsbury, CT
📅December 7, 2025, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
📌 Local vendors and families gather to donate toys and shop holiday crafts.
🔗 More info: ctcraftfairconnection.com/event/holiday-vendor-fair-toy-drive
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