What are some charities that help families with toys for Christmas?

[A home for their hearts]

I've come to the harsh reality that we may not be able to afford Christmas for my dc this year. If I can put my pride aside long enough I would like to see if I could sign my dc up for a toy drive. I've never done this before so I don't even how to go about doing this. I know around Christmas time department store have tree where you pick a name off of it and buy for that child but where do those names come from? Does the salvation army do something like this?

 

I didn't even want to ask this question but seeing the dissapointment on my dc faces last year was enough to make me consider it this year.

 

Thanks

[CookieMonster]

Toys for Tots

 

Also, do you attend a church? Sometimes the pastor will coordinate gift-giving by the congregation to needy families for Christmas.

 

edited to add:

I know around Christmas time department store have tree where you pick a name off of it and buy for that child but where do those names come from? Does the salvation army do something like this?

 

Yes they do. Here's what they say:

 

Angel Giving Tree - Each Christmas, The Salvation Army can be spotted in malls across America standing next to Christmas trees decorated with little angel tags. Each tag holds the Christmas wishes of a child whose family is being served by The Salvation Army. It is through the public's generosity that these children have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning.

 

My guess is that you should contact your local Salvation Army.

Edited September 26, 2008 by CookieMonster
found info on the salvation army

[charlotteb]

I think the organization you're thinking of is the Angel Tree Ministries. They only help children who have parents in prison/jail. You also mentioned the Salvation Army? I would think they could definately help. Or check into some local churches?

[A home for their hearts]

Sorry

Edited September 26, 2008 by A home for their hearts
Double post

[Aggie]

Our pastor always checks with Social Services to see if they have any families who need help. I don't know if they would help if you're not enrolled in a program, but it's worth a call.

 

And don't worry about being on the receiving end of these programs. You're a good mom to consider it.

 

Aggie

[In The Great White North]

The Marine Corps jumps right to mind.

[Mrs Mungo]

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/4A2D2520606517C4802573F5005661DB?openDocument

[Mom to Aly]

The only one that does it in my county is Christmas Mother, and you have to do it in person. I could not get a ride, and their deadline was last week, so I can't get anything, know I can't afford anything, and my dd is expecting from Santa--trying to figure that one out already :(.

[hsmamainva]

Social Services in your area is a good place to start.

 

Our Tae Kwon Do school always adopts several families at Christmas from a list that social services gives us, and we all chip in to purchase everything on their list (along with gift cards to the local grocery store -- most of the time, the grocery store donates them for free so we can give them multiple cards -- that way, they can shop for several weeks of free groceries)

[*********]

I pm'd you.

[Mom to Aly]

I found Toys for Tots in my area--they said they are already done registering for this year (???), but Sal Army doesn't start until next week, and Angel Ministries is their Xmas help. I went to the link Mrs. Mungo listed, then chose my region, then found their number, and contacted them.

 

Good luck!