Give back with a toy drive that helps make kids’ wishes come true this season. If you’re ready to host a toy drive, we’ve got the rundown on how you can make it a success. Plus, by giving back, you may even feel as much joy as the children who receive the gifts.
Find a Local Partner
You can run a toy drive yourself, but partnering with a local charity may simplify the process so you can focus on getting those toys. If you do it on your own, you’ll need to consider logistics, due dates, making donation boxes, selecting drop points and how to distribute the donations. A partner will often do a lot of the organizing for you. Check with your local fire department or YMCA to see if they have programs already in place.
Create a Toy Team
Don’t go it alone! Ask a few coworkers or friends if they will help you with the planning and execution of the toy drive. Your toy team can support the cause and aid in selecting dates, creating the messaging, answering participant questions and picking up and delivering the toys. Have a kick off session with everyone to consider any roadblocks you may run into and to throw around creative ideas to make your toy drive more successful.
Get the Word Out
Publicize your event to your company, customers, friends and family. Create signs and flyers that you can hand out or mail. Draft an email and social media posts that everyone can share. Make sure each piece includes all of the details and contact information in case there are questions. You may also want to include a way that people can donate money if they don’t have time to buy toys themselves.
Wrap it Up
At the end of the toy drive take a count of all of the donations you received. After you picked up and delivered the toys, make sure you thank everyone involved – including your toy team and everyone who donated. Send a post-toy drive announcement to let all of your participants know how big of an impact they made in the lives of deserving kids. Now it’s time to celebrate!
Sponsored by: 
