The season of giving is officially here in Arizona, and it’s time to give back to our community by supporting local toy drives for little ones. The following are a handful of Phoenix toy drives to contribute to this holiday season.
Dapper & Stout’s Uptown Phoenix
In celebration of the one-year anniversary of Dapper & Stout’s Uptown Phoenix, the coffee shop is hosting a live holiday cocktail competition on Monday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. Contestants representing local bars will use Remy Martin Cognac and get creative with candy to stir up holiday-centric cocktails to present to a panel of judges. Tickets are $35 per person and include bites and drink tickets. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy; the event will benefit Hope & a Future Foundation as wells as Toys for Tots. For more on Dapper & Stout’s Uptown Phoenix, visit www.dapperandstout.com.
Duet Holiday Toy Drive
With more than 54,000 grandparents raising their grandchildren in fixed-income homes, Duet, a local nonprofit, aims to help these grandparents provide the best holiday season with a community toy drive. Participants can bring new toys or gift cards to donate to Duet’s office in Phoenix until Dec. 1. You can also shop Duet’s Amazon Smile Charity wish list here. To learn more about Duet Holiday Toy Drive, visit duetaz.org.
Toys for Tacos Holiday Fundraiser
Mesquite Fresh Street Mex is back for its third-annual Toys for Tacos Holiday Fundraiser to support Arizona Helping Hands. Customers who donate a brand new, unwrapped toy to one of Mesquite’s nine Valley locations will receive one free taco—it’s a win-win. Donations will be accepted now through Dec. 18. To learn more about Toys for Tacos Holiday Fundraiser, visit eatmesquite.com.
Barrett-Jackson Toy Drive
Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, hosts a holiday toy drive at FuelFest on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The Barrett-Jackson Toy Drive will be benefiting ChildHelp, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk children, to aid in providing children in need gifts for the holiday season. The car collectors will be accepting new, unwrapped toys from 1 to 8 p.m. To learn more about Barrett-Jackson Toy Drive, visit fuelfest.com.
Armer Foundation 4th Annual Holiday Toy Drive
The Armer Foundation, a local non-profit helping families with extreme medical needs, is back for its fourth year supporting families this holiday season. From now until Dec. 15, the non-profit will be accepting donations to benefit the Banner Carson Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Oncology Unit. Some donation items include baby dolls, blankets, comfy socks, crayons, pajamas, stuffed animals, puzzles, books and more. To contribute to the holiday drive, participants can drop off the items at one of seven locations in the valley, including the Armer Foundation, CK’s Tavern & Grill, Spooner Physical Therapy (North Phoenix), Ahwatukee Skin and Laser, 32 Shea, Red, White & Brew and Lakeside Bar & Grill. To learn more about the Armer Foundation 4th Annual Holiday Toy Drive, visit armerfoundation.org/toydrive.
Arizona Helping Hands Holiday Toy Drive
Back for its 24th year, the Arizona Helping Hands Holiday Toy Drive supports thousands of local children, teens and young adults in foster care. The charitable event kicks off on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. with Fill Santa’s Sleigh, an event where volunteers can bring new, unwrapped toys to fill Santa’s sleigh. In addition to giving, the event will feature live music, holiday-themed goodies and a meet-and-greet with Santa. Don’t fret if you can’t make the fundraiser; you can donate online using the nonprofit’s Amazon Wish List here or contribute here. Last year’s holiday drive provided gifts to more than 5,000 foster children, and Arizona Helping Hands aims to serve 6,000 this year. To learn more about Arizona Helping Hands Holiday Toy Drive, visit azhelpinghands.org.
Koibito Poke Toy Drive
The local favorite poke spot, Koibito Poke, is partnering with the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children this holiday season for a toy drive to help families managing the well-being of a loved one with pediatric cancer. The campaign will take place from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20 with donations accepted at all Koibito Poke locations in Arizona. They will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for the little ones, and as a thank you, customers will receive $3 off a same-day meal following their donation. To learn more about Koibito Poke Toy Drive, visit koibitopoke.com.
Holiday Toy Drive with Eat Clean Phx
Local and family-owned meal delivery service, Eat Clean Phx, is teaming up with local influencer Lola Garcia (@whatlolalikes) to launch their first holiday toy drive to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Donations can be dropped off at Eat Clean Phx’s office in Scottsdale now through Dec. 20. The drive will be accepting new and unwrapped toys as donations. To learn more about the Holiday Toy Drive with Eat Clean Phx, visit eatcleanphx.com.
Holiday Toy Drive with Diego Pops
Old Town Scottsdale’s staple taco spot, Diego Pops, has transformed for the holiday season and is featuring a lineup of holiday-inspired cocktails, Christmas lights and festive decor. The modern site will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children from Dec. 9 to Dec. 18. To learn more about the Holiday Toy Drive with Diego Pops, visit diegopops.com.
Feliz Navidad Cantina
During the holiday season, Scottsdale’s Salt and Lime Modern Mexican Grill transforms into the Feliz Navidad Cantina—a Christmas pop-up concept that transforms the Mexican spot into a holiday wonderland complete with festive decorations from head to toe. In addition to the new environment, Feliz Navidad Cantina will house holiday-inspired food and cocktails, plus weekly appearances from Santa and the Grinch. The festivities are in collaboration with Maag Toy Foundation for a holiday toy drive that will be hosted at the cantina throughout the giving season. To learn more about Feliz Navidad Cantina, visit saltandlimeaz.com.
Holiday Nights in Lights
Join The Wigwam at Litchfield Lawn every Friday night from Dec. 2 to Dec. 23 for Holiday Nights in Lights, a festive evening stroll through spectacular holiday light displays. The weekly event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature carolers, firepits, s’mores, libations and an on-site holiday toy drive. Be sure to stop by the drive to donate a new, unwrapped toy to the United Goodyear Firefighter Charities and receive a free hot chocolate to help you warm up. To learn more about Holiday Nights in Lights, visit wigwamarizona.com.
Streets of New York Holiday Toy Drive
In partnership with Childhelp, Valley favorite Streets of New York is giving customers two ways to win big by donating to a good cause. Guests who bring in a new unwrapped toy, clothing or comfort item for little ones to any local Streets of New York locations will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a holiday VIP experience, including a dinner for four and reserved front-row seating at the beloved Electric Light Parade or a $200 gift card to the pizzeria. Guests have from Nov. 25 to Dec. 16 to donate items, and winners of the VIP experience will be announced on Friday, Dec. 2, at noon, while the winner of the gift card will be announced after Dec. 16. To learn more about the Streets of New York Holiday Toy Drive, visit streetsofnewyork.com.
Stuff the Sleigh Toy Drive
The Brokery in Arcadia has partnered with Arizona Helping Hands to put on a huge community Stuff the Sleigh toy drive on Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. to collect donated holiday gifts for teens in foster care. The Brokery will rally the community for a fun event that will include an appearance by Santa, live entertainment, vendors and more. Suggested gift items include ear buds, games, personal care items, clothing, books, electronics and gift cards.
Shredding with Santa
ProShred Arizona hosts its Shredding with Santa event in partnership with the Operation Santa Claus toy drive on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at 2350 W. Deer Valley in Phoenix. The event allows locals to shred up to two boxes of unwanted documents in exchange for a donation of an unwrapped toy, children’s clothing item, packaged food or a small monetary donation. The event will also have food and an appearance by Santa Claus. The shredathon marks another way to help Operation Santa Claus; the nonprofit is working in partnership with Sanderson Ford, Sanderson Lincoln, U-haul, Little Dealer Little Prices, ABC 15 and The CW61 Arizona. (Residents can also donate through Dec. 19 at any Little Dealer Little prices location. Anyone who donates will have the chance to win a new F-150 Super Crew Truck or Lincoln Corsair.) For more info on Shredding with Santa, visit www.proshred.com.
Toyland for Phoenix Children’s
No child at Phoenix Children’s will go without a present thanks to the Toyland toy drive. Anyone can donate toys or gift cards to Toyland; new, unwrapped toys and gift cards will be accepted through Dec. 17. Toys and other items can be donated through the Phoenix Children’s gift registry page or people can make a financial donation. Gift cards in denominations of $10 and $25 to Amazon, Walmart, Target, VISA, Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Fandango, Xbox, Five and Below, PlayStation and Nintendo eShop are preferred. On Dec. 23 and Dec. 24 a space at Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus will be transformed into a winter wonderland where parents can “shop,” free of charge, for their hospitalized child. (A gift drop-off location has been set up on the south side of Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus at 1920 E. Cambridge Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85006.)
Scottsdale Quarter Holiday Toy Drive
Scottsdale Quarter has teamed up with Arizona Helping hands for its annual Holiday Toy Drive, benefiting local foster youth. From Dec. 5 to Dec. 20, The Quarter will accept new toys and new clothing for babies, children and teens. Stop by Santa City in The Quad and check out the donation bin in the cabin. For more information on the Scottsdale Quarter toy drive, visit scottsdalequarter.com.
Gifts of Hope
Arizona’s Children Association has launched its holiday campaign, Gifts of Hope, to make the season special for children and families in need. (Children in Tucson and Nogales, especially, need gifts.) Arizona’s Children Association will help match you with a child or family and provide you with a list of their needs and wishes. Gifts will be accepted until Dec. 25. To sign up, visit www.arizonaschildren.org. If you would like to donate directly to Arizona’s Children Association, view its Amazon wish list.
Redstone Crown Hosts Toy Drive
Prescott-based metal band, Redstone Crown, has teamed up with Arizona Children’s Association and Immortal Art Tattoo & Body Piercing to host a toy drive until Dec. 20. Drop off gifts to Immortal Art Tattoo & Body Piercing during business hours (noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday; noon to 6 p.m., Sunday to Monday) in Scottsdale. Recommended gifts include arts and crafts supplies, coloring books, science learning sets/experiments, musical toys, Lego, board games and sensory toys for babies and toddlers. Gift cards from Dutch Bros, Ross, Target, Amazon, Ulta, X-Box, Apple, Sally’s Beauty Supply, Famous Footwear, Fry’s and gas cards are all appreciated. For more information, visit www.facebook.com. If you are unable to bring a gift and would like to donate, visit www.gofundme.com.