Updated for 2022
Before the kids get too involved with their holiday wish lists, help them remember that this is the season of giving and that there are children in Los Angeles who may not receive many gifts without our donations. In fact, the Holiday Toy Drive was invented here in Los Angeles in 1947 by Toys for Tots.
Here are suggestions for ways to help make this holiday season a little brighter for children in LA. A new toy is a simple thing to donate and can bring so much joy to a child on Christmas morning. Consider these Holiday Toy Drives in Los Angeles.
Holiday Toy Drives in SoCal
The Disney Ultimate Toy Drive
The Walt Disney Company has launched the 2022 Disney Ultimate Toy Drive in support of the Marine Toys for Tots Program, continuing a 75-year tradition of helping the foundation deliver toys, hope, and joy to children in need during the holiday season.
Fans and families can join the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive by purchasing a toy to donate online at shopDisney.com now through December 24, 2022. Or you can donate a new, unwrapped toy in person at a Disney store or Disney Store outlet location, the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, or Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, now through December 12, 2022.
Toys for Tots
Each year since 1947, the “Marine Toys for Tots Program has been delivering a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters.” This special program provides holiday gifts to less fortunate children throughout our country. Families can participate by donating money and/or gifts of new, unwrapped toys. The website has information regarding communities being served and where you can find drop-off locations.
Spark of Love Toy Drive
Every year, Southern California firefighters and ABC7 TV join forces to make the holiday season a happier one for less fortunate children in our communities. “Over the past two and a half decades, the Spark of Love Toy Drive has successfully collected more than nine million toys!” Donations will begin being accepted around mid-November. Families can participate by donating funds or donating a toy through the Spark of Love gift registry available online.
Spark of Love — Ventura County Firefighters
The Ventura County Fire Department is also joining ABC7 TV to gather donations and toys for children and teens to provide happiness and hope during this holiday season. In addition to toys, they are also seeking donations of non-perishable food at certain locations. See the website for additional information.
Toy Drive for Crime Survivors
Now through December 19th, you can donate a toy to provide both hope and healing to victims and survivors of crime. Boomers LA and Boomers Irvine are hosting the toy drive, and your donation of $10 or more will earn you a free game of mini golf.
Friends of the Children — Los Angeles (Friends LA)
672 S. Lafayette Park Pl., Ste. 33, Los Angeles, CA 90057
539 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster, CA 93534
(213) 378-0704
Friends of the Children-Los Angeles (Friends LA) disrupts generational trauma and poverty through the power of relationships with long-term, salaried, professional mentors. They pair children ages 4-6 who have been affected by the foster care and/or child welfare systems to professional mentors — who they call “Friends” — from kindergarten through high school graduation. They commit to their children and their caregivers for 12+ years, no matter what.
Here are a few of the ways you can help Friends LA this holiday season :
- Host a toy drive (see the website for details)
- Donate new, unwrapped toys and/or clothing for children ages 6 months – 18 years old
- Donate grocery or gas cards
- Donate activity kits for children ages 4–12 years old
- Join the Forever Friend program and become a monthly donor
- Volunteer to help with their worthwhile events and workshops
Donations can be made to either location from November 28th and December 12th.
Victory Outreach Ministries Toy Drive
3037 Roswell St., Los Ángeles, CA 90065
They collect toys, both used and new, to distribute to the children in the Communities of Los Angeles County. Last year they were able to give toys to 1,000 children ranging in age from three years to eight years. Most of these children had never possessed a toy of their own. This year, we hope to collect enough toys to give to the children in the orphanages as well as to a group of children in a low-income area of the city. Your donation will make a child extremely happy this year. Event date : Sunday December 25 at 10:00am.
Baby2Baby
5830 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016
This organization works year-round to provide low-income children (infants to age 12) with basic items that all children should grow up having, and generally accepts donations year-round. Because of COVID-19, Baby2Baby is unable to accept gently used donations. However, families can still help by donating funds as well as donating less-fun, but still essential, items like diapers, wipes, and hygiene items such as soap and shampoo. Check the website for details.
Holidays from the Heart
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
The Holidays from the Heart program aims to make the holidays a little happier for chronically ill children and their families. There are a number of ways to help, including sponsoring a family, making a monetary donation, and donating gift cards. Check the website for more details on how to help including ways to donate toys.
Holiday Giving Drive
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
“Each holiday season, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office provides much-needed cheer to hundreds of crime victims and their families through the Holiday Giving Drive.” The Holiday Giving Drive provides holiday meals and gifts. Families can help by making a tax-deductible donation to this program. Details are available online.
Adopt-A-Family
YWCA Glendale
735 E. Lexington Dr., Glendale, CA 91206
“Each year donors at YWCA Glendale make holiday wishes come true for families affected by domestic violence.” You can help by adopting a family in need. Families provide a list of their most needed items, and donors are matched with family profiles and their wish lists. Check the website for details on how your family can get involved.
Aviva’s Annual Holiday Drive
Aviva Family and Children’s Services
7120 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Aviva’s Adopt-A-Family and Adopt-A-Child Holiday Programs are designed to assist vulnerable children and their families who do not have resources to celebrate the holidays.” Sponsor families have the opportunity to provide families in need with food and clothing as well as gifts during the holiday season. Families may choose to adopt a child or a family, and they will then receive a personalized wish list. Other ways to help include sorting/organizing gifts, hosting a toy drive, and making a financial donation. Details are available online.
A Place Called Home Family-to-Family Program
2830 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011
A Place Called Home provides “programs in arts, education, and wellness for the young people in South Central Los Angeles to help them improve their economic conditions and develop healthy, fulfilling, and purposeful lives.” They are looking to have collected toys to distribute by December 9th.
Toys can be dropped off or mailed to:
A Place Called Home
Attn: Home for the Holidays
2830 S. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Your child’s school and/or class
Bring home the idea and the spirit of giving, by helping to arrange a toy drive at your child’s school. (If you’d prefer to start smaller, organize one for your child’s classroom). Work out the details with your child’s teacher (monetary limit for donations, when donations need to be brought in, perhaps a class incentive for 100% participation), and then donate those toys to an organization of your choice. While this year it may be a bit more difficult to coordinate collecting gifts since everyone is learning from home, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. He/she may have a direct connection with an organization needing donated toys and funds.
Did we miss any toy drives in your area? Please let us know in the comments.
Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.
Katie Joseph
Saturday 3rd of December 2022
North Valley Caring Services is located in North Hills, San Fernando Valley. Our toy drive 12/1-12/15/22 and we would LOVE your help! We can provide bins/flyers/social media tools to help you collect toys and will even pick-up if you want! Toys and gift cards for all ages are really needed and will be distributed by Santa at our Wonderland Holiday Party on 12/21/22 where more than 400 children and their families will gather to enjoy a Holiday celebration just for them. All the kids we serve are experiencing homelessness, living in local motels, food insecure and live in a gang injunction area. Without you there is no Holiday season for these kids. Thanks for any help!
• Host a toy/gift card drive • Donate a toy! • Volunteer to help set-up and/or at the event on 12/21 • Sponsor the event (opportunities start at $250-$5,000 with lots of promotion!) • Donate (every dollar raised will be used for the event) www.nvcsinc.org • Get in touch [email protected]
Sarah Auerswald
Sunday 4th of December 2022
Thanks for letting us know.
Vickie Tyler
Monday 21st of December 2020
Hello I was wondering if anywhere I could get a few toys for a two year little boy. I’m in south Los Angeles closer to the Inglewood/Gardena area. Thank you
Sarah Auerswald
Tuesday 22nd of December 2020
Hi! I would try the Fire Stations nearby, they are doing the Spark of Love Toy Drives. There's also a Toy for Tots in Bell - check them out: https://bell-ca.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx
Kim S. Bradshaw
Monday 18th of December 2017
My family has resided in Los Angeles for 3 1/2 yrs. We were just told about this organization? I'd like to know can the people in the community receive toys and clothing for 2017 Christmas as well? What dates and times are the Christmas Giveaways?
Yvonne Condes
Monday 18th of December 2017
Here is a link with information on how to request toys - http://abc7.com/family/spark-of-love-how-to-receive-toys/1615110/ - Thank you.
Jennifer
Sunday 17th of December 2017
My little sisters and brother unfortunately won’t be getting presents this year which wAs a hard y’all to have with them . Is there somewhere in particular that I can take them to get gifts and feel that even strangers care to make a smile on their faces;$
Yvonne Condes
Monday 18th of December 2017
Here is a link with information on how to request toys http://abc7.com/family/spark-of-love-how-to-receive-toys/1615110/ - Thank you.
Rena
Friday 16th of December 2016
I live in the fairfax area of los angeles. Where can I drop off toys for kids? Please advise.
Yvonne Condes
Friday 16th of December 2016
Hi, Rena. You can drop off toys at your local fire station. There's one at 7643 California State Rte 2, West Hollywood, CA 90046 and one at 5821 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036 in your area. Thank you!