Where to Donate Christmas Toys

To Kids in Ocean County N.J.?

             As the Christmas season approaches many of us have already started making our Christmas gift list and planning who we will give gifts to this year. This year do something different as you make your gift list. Go beyond including just your family or friends and add at least one gift or toys to your shopping list to donate to a child or children’s charity. If you are planning on cutting back on your holiday spending or can’t afford another gift this season I am not suggesting that you to spend more but please consider spending a little less on the other fortunate people on your list to allow the purchase of a Christmas gift to donate to a needy or homeless child. I am sure the others on your list would gladly give up a portion of the cost of their gift to allow a donation for a toy to be given to a needing child on Christmas day. If you have children of your own explain to them how donating works and ask for their ideas or the type of toys they think another child might want for Christmas. You will be surprised at how interested and helpful your children will be if you let them go shopping to pick out a gift for donating. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet in this tough economy but we should be grateful for what we have and consider helping other families and children that may not have any gifts or presents to open on Christmas morning.

Throughout the holiday season you will see many non profit volunteers standing at entrances to shopping malls and stores soliciting for your donations. Many of us make donations of cash as we walk by the cheerful volunteers and place a few dollars in their collection tray. People who make this type of donation feel they have done their part for society in helping the needy. I am not discouraging donations to these national not for profit organizations, but I am asking you to go one step further and donate directly to a local charity in your town or community. When donating toys or gifts locally you can associate a face with your donated gift and maybe even know the child or family who will receive your Christmas gift, just as you know the others on your want list. As a parent or gift giver you know in your heart the gratifying feeling you have at that golden moment you give a gift to a child and see the excitement and happiness in their glowing face as they unwrap the present from you. Even if you don’t actually know the child receiving your gift, you will know in your heart that he or she has had a gift on Christmas from you. As you and your family open presents you will also know that on Christmas morning you made a difference and made a child’s dream come true of believing that maybe there really is a Santa Claus.

Here is a list of some local charities to consider for your donations and gifts.

1. Kimball Medical Center Foundation operates three charity thrift shops for donating gifts - Lots for Little Shoppe, Kimball Closet and The Treasure Chest.

2. Community Medical Center Foundation in Toms River, N.J. Inquire at the medical center for more information.

3. The ARC of Ocean County accepts donations for retarded children and adults.

4. Oceans Harbor House- A non profit agency that helps youths ages 10- 21 who have run away, are homeless, are abused, or have been abandoned or neglected. They also operate Harbor House Resale Shop where donations of gifts and slightly used items can be made.

5. United Way of Ocean County N.J. 

  Christmas Toys for Kids - Accepts No Donations.

                                                                                                                                                             Check your local newspapers for groups or organizations that may have a gift or toy drive for children. Here are some more suggestions of places to donate; schools, church groups, police, fire or rescue departments, senior citizen groups, Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Scouting, library, shopping malls and healthcare facilities. If you feel ambitious start your own neighborhood Christmas toy drive and donate the gifts as a group.

Charity and Donation Scams - Assure your donation goes where you intended it to.

Along with the joy and cheer of the holiday season comes a wave of donation scams. When making donations take some time to research and ask where your gifts will go and who will receive it. There are many good charity and non profit organizations that accept donations but there are also just as many illegal scams. Do not answer emails about charitable donations unless you know the person that sent you the message or you have signed up for notifications. Beware of fraud websites and making online donations, many of these flashy, authentic looking web sites are also scams. Before making any donations check for a real business address and phone number and call before transferring any money to that charity. Never give your social security, bank account information or credit card numbers. Other scams to watch out for are phone call solicitations from organizations which include the words “police, firemen or firefighters”. Over the phone they give the impression they are officers and are willing to send an officer or messenger to your home to pickup the donation. Do not give them your name, they are persistent and will continue to call hoping to trick someone in your household for a donation. Though some are legitimate but most are not and they donate only 2-3 % of what is collected to a donation pool. If you want to donate to your local police, firefighters or first aid squad inquire within your town and make the donations direct face to face. The fact is legal organizations and groups will answer any questions you have without any hesitation and will explain where your donation actually goes.

Tax Deductible? Ask the organization to give receipts of the toys and the proper procedure to claiming your donation of goods, toys or money to deduct on your tax return.

*The donation of toys or small gift may not qualify for a tax deduction, but donating a gift will instantly qualify you for the best return on your investment - the glowing, smiling face of a child’s excitement as they unwrap the gift you gave them on Christmas morning.

**Information and contacts on this site are provided to help donations reach charitable organizations. The owner of this website does not accept donations of gifts or money directly nor implies to make donations directly to the needy.