Toy Drives In Ellicott City: How To Make The Holidays Merry For Everyone

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — While you’re checking off holiday gifts for family members, don’t forget the kids who aren’t on anyone’s shopping list and pick up some items for toy drives in Howard County.

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.

Locally, the Toys For Tots campaign combines Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County and Howard County. Last year, the campaign distributed 86,238 toys to 32,012 children across those areas. 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.

Besides dropping off new, unwrapped toys at several drop-off locations, people who want to support the campaign can also donate online. Click here to find toy drop-off locations in Howard County.

The Howard County Government also will be collecting toys for Toys for Tots through Friday. Those locations can be seen in the image below.

Maryland State Police barracks across the state are accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys to support children and families in need during the holiday season, including the barracks in Harford County. Barrack lobbies will be used as drop-off locations. All collected toys will be distributed to community organizations, local partners and programs around the state, the Maryland State Police announced. People can drop off toys during normal business hours. Suggested donations, according to the Maryland State Police, include new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, including games, books, stuffed animals, arts and crafts, and other kid-friendly items.

Note that the Maryland State Police cannot accept donations with realistic looking weapons and any gifts containing food. To find a Maryland State Police barrack near you, check out this map.