Toy Drives In New Haven: How To Make The Holidays Merry For Everyone

NEW HAVEN, CT — While you’re checking off holiday gifts for family members, don’t forget the kids who aren’t on anyone’s shopping list and if able to financially, pick up some items for toy drives in New Haven.

One of the most well-known toy drives is the Toys for Tots campaign, led by the Marine Corps Reserves. Since 1947, Toys for Tots drives across the country have collected 708 million toys that were distributed to 314 million children.

Toys for Tots is organized locally in New Haven by Marine Corps Reserves.

In the 2024 New Haven Toys for Tots program, 36,470 toys were distributed to 13,973 children who might not otherwise have gotten any Christmas gifts. Besides dropping off new, unwrapped toys at several drop-off locations, people who want to support the campaign can also donate online.

Here’s what to know about Toys for Tots in New Haven:

The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991.
97% of every donation goes directly to providing toys to children.

Click here to donate.

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS-recognized nonprofit public charity created in 1991, uses 97 percent of every donation to buy toys for children in need.

Other toy drives, and toy give-away's, in New Haven:

The Hill Sisters 4th Annual Toy Drive: Bella's Hope Foundation was created in loving memory of Gabriella "Bella" Hope Patterson who ended her 6-year battle with cancer at the age of 16. The toys collected this holiday season will be delivered to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. Donate a toy by texting 203-733-9710.

Taste of New Haven Toy Drive and Toy (and apizza!) Give-Away, Sunday Dec. 14 from 11 .m. to 2 p.m. Pepe Pizzeria The Spot! Santa, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, The Misers and more will hand out free pizza and 300 stockings full of toys, all for those truly in need. This is all being done by community members who want to share the wealth during the Holidays. You can also share the wealth by supporting the cause both at the event and from home. We have partnered with United Way of Greater New Haven to collect toys, non-perishable food items & cash or credit donations. If you can’t make the event you can still donate using the QR code on the image posted.

New Haven Police Department and ConnCORP partner for 2nd Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway. Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Newhallville Police Substation, 596 Winchester Ave, New Haven. NOTE: This event is exclusively for New Haven residents, and children must be present to receive a toy.

JUNTA for Progressive Action Toy Drive Drop off your new, unwrapped toys at 169 Grand Ave., New Haven during weekday business hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Toys will be distributed in December for Christmas and in January for Three Kings Day. Monetary donations are welcome. Click here to donate, and make sure to check the Youth category.

The inaugural Brian Lynch Toy Drive in honor of Children's Community Programs of Connecticut's late CEO. Now through Dec. 16, bring an unwrapped toy or a gift card, to our CCP office located at 843 Whalley Ave., New Haven, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.