The holiday season is officially upon us. While this is traditionally known as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” for many children, receiving a gift will not be a reality. Because every child deserves a magical holiday season, the Hudson County Community comes together to ensure this happens for as many children as possible, but help is required. We have rounded up all the toy drives around Hoboken and Jersey City. Keep reading to see the list.
RWJBarnabas Health Virtual Toy Drive {All Year}
Hundreds of children will spend the holiday season in hospitals this year, but having a special gift can offer a sense of comfort during a difficult time. RJWBarnabas Health: The Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, is hosting a Virtual Toy Drive this year. Donations from generous community members help the Child Life team purchase developmentally appropriate toys for patients. Please note that due to COVID-19, the hospital is not able to accept physical items. The drive has gone fully virtual this year. To make a monetary donation, check out the Amazon Wish List, or to learn more about this effort, click here.
Mayor Fulop and The Resident Response Council Present Jersey City 24th Annual Toy Drive {Now through November 30}
Jersey City is hosting its Annual Toy Drive. This year, with an expected increase in need, the city is expanding its efforts. The city is asking for those who can, please donate new toys for children ages 1-12. Unwrapped toys should be brought to the Resident Response Center at City Hall Monday-Friday from 9:00AM-6:00PM by November 30th. For more information, contact the Resident Response Center at 201-547-4900. Although this deadline has passed, call to check if they need any additional toys.
Historic Downtown Special Improvement District in the Jersey City Smile Pre-School & Nursery Toy Giveaway {Now through December 4}
HDSIDJC and Smile Pre-School Nursery are partnering for a Holiday Toy Giveaway. Donations will be accepted through December 1st and toys will be given to children ages 1-8. The drive is looking to collect new toys, clothes, shoes, and toiletries. For more information on the drive and instructions on how to drop off, please contact Sherry Sign at 201-54703554. For parents wanting their children to be a part, please register here.
Children must be accompanied by a parent and gifts will be pre-selected by HDSID. Masks must be worn, and please come only during your designated time slot to avoid lines.
Acupuncture Atelier Donating to Toys for Tots {Now through December 5}
Acupuncture Atelier is showing love and support to an organization that has been near to the owner’s heart for years—Toys for Tots. Now through December 5th, Acupuncture Atelier will be donating a toy on behalf of each patient who schedules an appointment. At the time of the appointment, patients will be given a gift tag to fill out. That tag will be placed on a toy that will be donated to Toys for Tots. For more on what Acupuncture Atelier offers and to schedule an appointment, click here.
Toys for Tots Event at Madd Hatter {December 8}
Team Braconi of Christie’s International Real Estate is teaming up with Madd Hatter to benefit Toys for Tots. Any person bringing an unwrapped toy will receive $10 off $30 or more for their food or drinks at Madd Hatter. Donations can be brought to Madd Hatter from 5:00PM to close on December 8th. For more information, visit teambraconihomesales.com.
North Jersey Toys for Tots {Now through December 11}
Since 1947, The Marine Corps Toys for Tots has been collecting and donating toys across the country annually. The North Jersey local chapter is located in Dover, NJ in the parking lot at Picatinny Arsenal on Friday, December 11th, and Saturday, December 12th. All toys should be new and unwrapped. All volunteers and donors are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. See here for more information.
Hoboken Food Pantry Holiday Market + Toy Drive {Now through December 11}
The Hoboken Food Pantry helps to ease everyday burdens in the community year-round with its efforts to collect and distribute food items to those in need. This year, they are taking this one step further by adding a toy drive to their holiday initiatives. The Food Pantry staff will be collecting toys through December 11th. All donated toys must be new and can either be shipped directly to the Food Pantry {1301 Washington Street} or a drop-off can be arranged by emailing hobokenfoodpantry@gmail.com. Also, join The Food Pantry for a holiday market on December 12th following the toy drive.
The Hoboken Christmas Exchange {Now through December 12}
Join Hoboken Grace for its 6th Annual Hoboken Christmas Exchange. Become an “elf” and adopt a family this holiday season — you’ll be able to sign up to be a donor and will be matched with a child and that child’s wish list. Gifts should be wrapped and tagged with the child’s name, and donations can be dropped off at 301 Garden Street on December 10th from 7:30-9:30PM, December 11th from 7:30-9:30PM, and December 12th from 9:30-10:30AM. Volunteers are also needed to manage donations and distribute the gifts on December 10th from 6:30-9:30PM, December 11th from 7:00-10:00AM, and December 12th from 8:30-11:30AM and 1:30-5:30PM. To learn more, click here.
COVID Survivors of Change Adopt a Family Gift Drive {Now through December 15}
COVID Survivors for Change & Pandemic of Love was born out of the increased needs in our communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of families in our area are experiencing loss and financial hardship as a result of this time. By signing up, volunteers will receive a wish list from a registered child. Items on the wish list may add up to a few hundred dollars, so residents are encouraged to share the list among family and friends to support. Click here to sign up.
Annual Rotary Club of Hoboken Toy Drive {Now through December 16}
Each year, the Rotary Club of Hoboken hosts a toy drive — and with the increased needs, this year is especially important. The Rotary club is currently accepting donations of new toys as well as monetary donations. Toys can be dropped off at any Hoboken Fire House through December 16 and will be given to children ages 5-12, both boys and girls. For children 13 and older, monetary donations can be made via the Go Fund Me Page found here.
Ari-Anna’s Angels Gift Card Drive {Now through December 17}
Join Ari-Anna’s Angels for its 7th Annual Gift Card Drive. Teens and young adults are often overlooked during the holiday season. Ari-Anna’s Angels aim to fill this gap with its annual gift card drive benefiting Tomorrow’s Children Fund at Hackensack University Hospital. Monetary donations can be made by visiting Ari-Anna’s Angels Facebook Page here.
902 Brewing 1st Annual Toy Drive {Now through December 19}
902 Brewing is kicking off its first annual toy drive! Drop off any unwrapped toys to the brewery and they will be donated to Dante Alighieri’s Children’s Christmas Event.
JC Wonders {December 5th – December 27th}
JC Wonders and Heights Orthodontics teamed up to host a toy drive for foster children in Bayonne and Jersey City. The toys can range from newborn to 18-years-old.
Hoboken Family Alliance Toy, Book & Pajama Drive {November 25-December 23}
The Hoboken Family Alliance knows that this year has been especially difficult for children already facing difficulty in their lives, but the organization is looking to make this time of year a bit brighter. The 13th Annual Toy, Book, and Pajama Drive are doing just that, but it needs your help. Toys, books, and pajamas can be donated until December 23rd by either supporting the cause monetarily here or by purchasing items from one of the three approved locations.
Donations will be taken straight from the locations {no in-person delivery} which are Little City Books {100 Bloomfield Street & 1401 Adams Street}, Washington General Store {509 Washington Street}, and Big Fun Toys {602 Washington Street}.
Children involved with the following organizations will benefit Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS), Family Promise, Hoboken Housing Authority, In Jesus’ Name Charities, Women Rising, and York Street Project.
Little City Books Partners with Hoboken Family Alliance for Toy & Book Drive {Now through December 23}
Little City Books is partnering with the Hoboken Family Alliance for its Annual Book & Toy Drive this holiday season. Shop on the Little City Books site here using code HFA2020 and 15% of proceeds will go toward this worthy cause. The Hoboken Family Alliance will distribute the items. For age-appropriate suggestions, click here.
CASA Holiday Toy Drive {Now through December 25}
Thanks to the generosity of the community, Hudson County CASA has been able to give hundreds of toys to children over the past few years. The organization will be continuing its toy drive this year as well. The Amazon Wishlist can be found here for donations.
Joey No Nuts Cafe
Joey No Nuts is hosting its second annual Remember to Love Toy Drive. Join @carasquared @tiffanypinerostyle and @joeynonutscafe by dropping off new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. This will benefit @angelacaresinc, a non-profit in Jersey City that helps underprivileged youth in the Greenville area. Many of these families are on the front-lines or may have lost jobs due to this pandemic.
