In 2023, you can bring joy to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas with your donation of a new, unwrapped toy at PlayMatters. Created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991, the Toys for Tots program is a nationally recognized, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity that coordinates a massive holiday drive for less fortunate children at Christmas. For the second year in a row, PlayMatters Toys is an Official Toys for Tots Collection point.
PlayMatters customers can participate in the program in three ways:
- Purchase a toy in our shop for another child and receive 10% off your donated toys.
- Make a cash donation to the program; PlayMatters will pool donations and donate toys from inventory.
- Bring a new, unwrapped toy and place it in our collection bin.
2023 is the second year PlayMatters Toys has participated with our Cuyahoga County chapter, located in Brookpark, OH. This coordinating chapter served more than 40,000 Cleveland-area children in the Cleveland-area last year. According to Toys for Tots, the program is simple:
"Local toy collection campaigns begin in October and last until mid to late December. Toy distribution also takes place mid to late December. Members of the community drop new, unwrapped toys in collection boxes positioned in local businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the less fortunate children of the community. Over the years, Marines have established close working relationships with social welfare agencies, churches and other local community agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community and play important roles in the distribution of the toys."
Customers who shopped at PlayMatters Toys in 2022 made a significant impact for local children. Some 171 items of our merchandise were purchased and donated to the toy drive. This includes both items customers purchased and the items PlayMatters purchased with the $1, $5 or $10 donations that our customers made. Our shop contributed a total of $3400 of retail value to the program, not including the value of toys customers brought in from outside sources.
Many parents appreciate the opportunity to teach children about the value of giving during the holiday season. When kids shop in a toy store for another child they do not even know, it helps make the act of charity a tangible moment that every child can understand.
To participate in this donation program, simply shop a toy in PlayMatters or donate a dollar amount of your choice. Thousands of children will enjoy a brighter holiday through the generosity of our customers. Thank you for your participation.
Photo: Courtesy of Toys for Tots