Top Metro Area Toy Drives and Charities to Support this Year
Here are ways to give back to the community and help those in need this holiday season.
Get kid-friendly activities sent to you!
Get the Best Kid-Friendly Activities
Sent to You Weekly!
Coalition for the Homeless
129 Fulton St.
212-776-2000
Facebook • Instagram
Help make the holidays brighter for homeless children by supporting the Coalition for the Homeless Toy Drive, which distributes more than 5,000 gifts to boys and girls living in New York City shelters. Details on how to donate a toy this year are available on the website.
New York Cares
212-228-5000
65 Broadway, 19th Fl.
Facebook • Instagram
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.
Toys for Tots – New York City
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. Go to toysfortots.org/donate to find local campaigns throughout the city or make a monetary donation. Learn how you can donate a toy virtually at [email protected].
City Harvest
646-412-0600
6 E. 32 St., 5th Fl.
Facebook • Instagram
City Harvest is a food rescue organization that helps feed more than 1.5 million New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables. They deliver the food free of charge to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens and other community organizations across the five boroughs. Visit the website to learn how you can help.
Sheltering Arms NY
25 Broadway
212-675-1000
Facebook • Instagram
The organization works to help children and families succeed and thrive while addressing the effects of social inequity in the most challenged communities in New York City. Find out how to support the organization or make a monetary donation on the website.
New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund
156 W. 56 St. Suite 901
646-731-9630
Facebook • Instagram
The organization works to provide financial assistance and a network of support to the families of New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Police and EMS personnel who were killed in the line of duty. Find out how to support the organization or make a monetary donation on the website.
Citymeals on Wheels
355 Lexington Ave.
212-687-1234
Facebook • Instagram
Citymeals on Wheels serves to ensure elderly people in the community receive nutritions meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently. Support the program in a variety of ways. You can deliver meals, create hand-made cards, be a kitchen or officer helper, among other opportunities. Learn how to get involved with the organization within the five boroughs by visiting the website.
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 creating birthday and holiday cards. Learn how you can support the organization on the website.
USPS Operation Santa
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 for the mailing of the gift to the child. Learn more about how to get involved on the website. Letter adoption begins Nov. 29.
Brooklyn Museum Holiday Toy Drive Donation Drop-off
200 Eastern Parkway
718-638-5000
Facebook • Instagram
The museum is partnering with New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, F.O.O.D. Foundation, Congress members Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, the Vulcan Society, and Grandma’s Hands to distribute toys to families in need this holiday season. Participants can drop off new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0–14 in the museum’s lobby, Wednesday–Sunday through Dec. 17, 11 am–6 pm.
Bronx Toy Drives and Charities
CAMBA Holiday Toy Drive
718-287-2600
Facebook • Instagram
Drop-off Locations to be announced
WHEN: 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. More information is available on the website
Coalition for the Homeless
129 Fulton St.
212-776-2000
Facebook • Instagram
Help make the holidays brighter for homeless children by supporting the Coalition for the Homeless Toy Drive, which distributes more than 5,000 gifts to boys and girls living in New York City shelters. Details on how to donate a toy this year are available on the website.
New York Cares
65 Broadway, 19th Fl.
212-228-5000
Facebook • Instagram
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.
Toys for Tots – New York City
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. Go to toysfortots.org/donate to find local campaigns throughout the city or make a monetary donation. Learn how you can donate a toy virtually at [email protected].
City Harvest
6 E. 32 St., 5th Fl.
646-412-0600
Facebook • Instagram
City Harvest is a food rescue organization that helps feed more than 1.5 million New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables. They deliver the food free of charge to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens and other community organizations across the five boroughs. Visit the website to learn how you can help.
Sheltering Arms NY
25 Broadway
212-675-1000
Facebook • Instagram
The organization works to help children and families succeed and thrive while addressing the effects of social inequity in the most challenged communities in New York City. Find out how to support the organization or make a monetary donation on the website.
New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund
156 W. 56 St. Suite 901
646-731-9630
Facebook • Instagram
The organization works to provide financial assistance and a network of support to the families of New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Police and EMS personnel who were killed in the line of duty. Find out how to support the organization or make a monetary donation on the website.
Citymeals on Wheels
355 Lexington Ave.
212-687-1234
Facebook • Instagram
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. Support the program in a variety of ways. You can deliver meals, create hand-made cards, be a kitchen or officer helper, among other opportunities. Learn how to get involved with the organization within the five boroughs by visiting the website.
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 creating birthday and holiday cards. Learn how you can support the organization on the website.
USPS Operation Santa
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 for the mailing of the gift to the child. Learn more about how to get involved on the website. Letter adoption begins Nov. 29.
Toy Drives and Charity Opportunities in Long Island
IKEA Long Island Toy Drive
WHERE: IKEA Long Island, 1100 Broadway Mall, Hicksville
WHEN: Through Dec. 31
888-888-4532
Facebook • Instagram
IKEA will have a donation house next to the Swedish Food Market near the store exit. Members of the community are encouraged to donate a brand new, unused toy in its original packaging to benefit the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, an organization that helps sick and underprivileged children throughout Long Island.
Toys for Tots - Long Island
516-228-5840
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. Go to toysfortots.org/donate to find local campaigns throughout Long Island or make a monetary donation. Learn how you can donate a toy virtually through the website.
Long Island Cares
10 Davids Dr., Hauppauge
631-582-FOOD
Facebook • Instagram
This Long Island organization was founded in 1980 by Harry Chapin. It is dedicated to serving Long Island's hungry and food insecure populations. Learn more on the website.
Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk
643 Middle Country Rd., Middle Island
631-422-4828
Facebook • Instagram
Habitat for Humanity in Suffolk County works to bring people together to build homes and communities. Since 1988 the organization has helped hundreds of families achieve their dreams of homeownership through its affordable home-ownership program. Learn how you can help on the website.
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown
631-930-9000
Facebook • Instagram
The Guide Dog Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for people who are visually impaired. Volunteers work in kennels, host events to raise money for programs, and even help raise puppies to grow into future guide dogs! Learn more about the organization and how you can help on the website.
Make-A-Wish – Suffolk County
1 Comac Loop, Suite 1A1, Ronkonkoma
631-585-9474
Facebook • Instagram
This holiday season, help grant a child's wish by supporting the Make-A-Wish organization. There are many ways to get involved, including fundraising in your community, making a monthly donation and a variety of ways to volunteer your time and talents to help transform a child's life. Learn more about the organization on the website.
Ronald McDonald House
267-07 76 Ave. New Hyde Park
516-775-5683
Facebook
The Ronald McDonald House provides accommodations for families whose children are receiving medical care at nearby hospitals. In addition to the location in New Hyde Park, the organization also provides family rooms directly inside Stony Brook Children's Hospital. Learn how you can help support the organization on its website.
Toy Drives and Charity Opportunities in Westchester County
White Plains Meals on Wheels
311 North St., Suite G-5
914-946-6878
Facebook
This chapter of Meals on Wheels in Westchester County delivers food to residents in need who aren't able to shop or prepare meals for themselves. Volunteers deliver two nutritionally balanced meals per day- one hot and one cold, all prepared by a professional dietician. Learn more about how you can support the organization on the website.
Feeding Westchester
200 Clearbrook Rd.
914-923-1100
Facebook • Instagram
Feeding Westchester is a charity that, through community partners, meal programs, food pantries and markets, brings food where it's needed most within the county. Volunteers can help by creating fundraisers, helping at events and other ways. Learn more on the website.
RELATED | WCA’s New Digital Dashboard Helps Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Westchester
Humane Society
70 Portman Rd.
914-632-2925
Facebook • Instagram
Founded in 1911 as the New Rochelle Humane Society, the organization promotes the human and animal bond through compassionate care and treatment of animals throughout communities in Westchester. Volunteers can support the organization by creating supply drives, fundraisers and many other ways. Learn more on the website.
Toys for Tots
914-263-0840
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. Go to toysfortots.org/donate to find local campaigns throughout the county or make a monetary donation.
DOROT
925 Westchester Ave. Suite 200
914-485-8354
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 creating birthday and holiday cards. Learn how you can support the organization on the website.
Toy Drives and Charities in Fairfield County
Oliver’s Pajama Project at the Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Ave.
203-394-6565
Facebook
Drop off brand new pajamas for Oliver’s Pajama Project, a local initiative to ensure everyone has new and warm pajamas. All sizes are needed. Drop off items at the zoo’s front gate through Dec. 30.
