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Toys for Children

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Cloneon

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Oct 29, 2015
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West Virginia
My wife and I are of the age where even creating a Christmas wish list for each other is a chore. So, this year we've decided to try to find a way to get a toy in the hands of a child who otherwise wouldn't have one. As with so many other 'General Discussion' threads, this community has provided fantastic and realist advice. We could go the 'Toys for Tots' direction, but I've never felt that gets the right toy in the hands of the right child.

Any and all suggestions/experiences would be appreciated?
 
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If you're not looking strictly local, I've done this a few times over the years when I didn't work at a place that adopted local families. Most probably too late for this year though. Love this idea though.

about.usps.com

USPS Operation Santa

With Operation Santa, individuals and organizations can send responses and thoughtful gifts in Santa’s place.
about.usps.com
 
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Cloneon said:
My wife and I are of the age where even creating a Christmas wish list for each other is a chore. So, this year we've decided to try to find a way to get a toy in the hands of a child who otherwise wouldn't have one. As with so many other 'General Discussion' threads, this community has provided fantastic and realist advice. We could go the 'Toys for Tots' direction, but I've never felt that gets the right toy in the hands of the right child.

Any and all suggestions/experiences would be appreciated?
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It’s a little late in the season for “adopting a family” which would be more targeted like you want, toys for tots im not even sure if they are still accepting donations for this year at this point. Maybe check with a local church to see if they have any need.
 
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Salvation Army (at least in Ames) has specific lists for specific kids/families. Regardless of how you feel about the organization, this puts the toys directly in the hands of the kids (unless they are part of a giant black market toy fencing operation on eBay or Amazon, I suppose).
 
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If you don't want to go to church route, you could also ask in your community Facebook group, if you're in one, if there any other organizations that are doing giving trees. I didn't even notice that my oldest son's daycare had one, I ended up taking a few of those gift requests and made them happen over this weekend. I still feel bad, because there were some left, but I couldn't literally afford to take all of them. I just know my own kids are going to get so much for Christmas, I hate the idea that there are some kids that won't get anything.
 
Cloneon said:
My wife and I are of the age where even creating a Christmas wish list for each other is a chore. So, this year we've decided to try to find a way to get a toy in the hands of a child who otherwise wouldn't have one. As with so many other 'General Discussion' threads, this community has provided fantastic and realist advice. We could go the 'Toys for Tots' direction, but I've never felt that gets the right toy in the hands of the right child.

Any and all suggestions/experiences would be appreciated?
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We donate to orchard place. Most of the kids have spent most of their lives dealing with family trauma. My wife worked there out of college and some of the stories are heartbreaking.

Just one example. One little boy (under 5 y/o) would sing in the bath tub to keep the snakes away.

Parents threw a bucket of snakes in the tub with him before they lost custody.
 
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You can also call your local school and talk to the counselor. They always seem to have a pulse on who is in need. I know you said toys, but I get the feeling that high school students might be the forgotten about kids in these scenarios.
 
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SDCyclonesFamily said:
You can also call your local school and talk to the counselor. They always seem to have a pulse on who is in need. I know you said toys, but I get the feeling that high school students might be the forgotten about kids in these scenarios.
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That’s a great idea. Our high school counselor sends backpacks after school with the homeless kids with food and warm clothes. She certainly knows who the kids in need are.
 
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SDCyclonesFamily said:
You can also call your local school and talk to the counselor. They always seem to have a pulse on who is in need. I know you said toys, but I get the feeling that high school students might be the forgotten about kids in these scenarios.
Click to expand...
That's an awesome idea. I know the grade school principal. So, he might be able to assist. Thanks!
 
Cloneon said:
My wife and I are of the age where even creating a Christmas wish list for each other is a chore. So, this year we've decided to try to find a way to get a toy in the hands of a child who otherwise wouldn't have one. As with so many other 'General Discussion' threads, this community has provided fantastic and realist advice. We could go the 'Toys for Tots' direction, but I've never felt that gets the right toy in the hands of the right child.

Any and all suggestions/experiences would be appreciated?
Click to expand...

OneSpirit. You can pick a family or chid directly to help out with specific items, donate to one of their programs or give a general donation. The money helps people on the Pine Ridge reservation. The statistics for them are astounding. Their county is one of, if not the, poorest in the nation. Average life expectancy: 47 for males, 52 for females. Infant Mortality rate: 5x higher than US average. Adolescent suicide rate: 4x higher than US average. Little economic/industrial: communities outside benefit since residents must travel to areas outside to purchase basic needs. Most employment is provided by community institutions. Median household income: $33,200 (approximately). Unemployment rate: 80% (approximately)

They currently have a Holiday Okini program to help families with Christmas presents: https://www.onespiritlakota.org/holiday-okini


One Spirit
 
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SDCyclonesFamily said:
You can also call your local school and talk to the counselor. They always seem to have a pulse on who is in need. I know you said toys, but I get the feeling that high school students might be the forgotten about kids in these scenarios.
Click to expand...

Or contribute toward the lunch program and help pay - or pay off - one or more children's lunch.
 
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