‘Tis the season for giving back to the Arizona community. Here’s a selection of toy drives in Phoenix and beyond to participate in this holiday season.
Click here for Arizona food drives.
U.S. Egg Toy and Pajama Drive
This November, all six Valley locations of the U.S. Egg are partnering with Arizona Helping Hands for a toy and pajama drive benefiting children in foster care. Drop off new toys, pajamas, socks, diapers and hygiene items at any location throughout November. For more information, visit www.useggrestaurant.com.
Wine Girl Fill the Bus Toy Drive
Join Wine Girl in Scottsdale on Sunday, Dec. 3, from noon to 3 p.m., for its third-annual Fill the Bus Toy Drive benefiting the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children. Help spread the holiday cheer by donating toys to families dealing with pediatric cancer. Enjoy a mimosa bar exclusively for donors, pictures with dirty Santa, wine tastings, games and giveaways. The festive bus will be decked out for donations, and festive attire is encouraged. For more information, visit winegirl.com.
Scottsdale Quarter Toy Drive
Scottsdale Quarter is teaming up with The Foster Alliance for its annual Holiday Toy Drive, supporting local foster youth. From Dec. 4 to Dec. 20, Scottsdale Quarter will be accepting donations at Santa City in the Quad, where you can find a donation bin located in the cabin. Drop off new toys and clothes for babies, children and teens. For more information, visit scottsdalequarter.com.
Toys for Tacos at Mesquite Fresh Street Mex
Mesquite Fresh Street Mex is teaming up with The Foster Alliance for its annual Toys for Tacos holiday toy drive. Join in on the holiday spirit by donating a new, unwrapped toy to any of the nine restaurants across the Valley from now until Dec. 18 to receive a free taco. This year, The Foster Alliance is seeking gifts for children of all ages, from sports equipment and art supplies to dolls, STEM toys, board games, video games, books, LEGO sets and sensory toys. For more information, visit eatmesquite.com.
Teddy Bear Drive at Heyday SanTan Village
Heyday SanTan Village in Gilbert is hosting a series of holiday events this season, including a Holiday Teddy Bear Drive in partnership with Dignity Health Foundation East Valley. From Dec. 1 to Dec. 22, members, clients and the community are invited to donate small- to medium-sized new, unwrapped teddy bears with tags attached. These bears are used to soothe patients and visitors in need at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and will directly benefit pediatric patients in the emergency room, children of patients and more. Plus, Heyday SanTan Village is gifting new clients/teddy bear donors a free gua sha or red light therapy enhancement that can be applied with a $99 first-time facial with code DIGNITYHEALTH. To book a facial, visit www.heydayskincare.com/pages/san-tan.
Salt & Lime Toy Drive
As Salt & Lime Scottsdale transforms into the Feliz Navidad Cantina, join in on the spirit by participating in its holiday toy drive benefiting Maag Toy Foundation. Salt & Lime is accepting new, unwrapped toys throughout the holiday season. For more information, visit www.saltandlimeaz.com.
Streets of New York Toy Drive
Streets of New York, a family-owned pizzeria, is partnering with Childhelp to support abused, neglected and at-risk children. From Dec. 4 to Dec. 19, drop off new, unwrapped toys, clothing or comfort items for babies and children at any Arizona-based Streets of New York locations. For more information, visit www.streetsofnewyork.com.
Koibito Poke Toy Drive
Koibito Poke is teaming up with the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children for a toy drive. From Dec. 1 to Dec. 20, drop off new, unwrapped toys at Koibito Poke’s Arcadia and Scottsdale locations. As a token of appreciation, receive $3 off your bill on the day of your donation. For more information, visit koibitopoke.com.
Armer Foundation Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Through Dec. 18, the Armer Foundation is hosting its fifth-annual holiday toy drive to benefit Banner Cardon Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Oncology Unit. Numerous Valley businesses are serving as drop-off locations for new, unwrapped toys that will bring joy to children facing chronic or life-altering diseases. For a full list of drop-off locations and toy needs, visit armerfoundation.org/toydrive/.
17th Annual Ton of Toys and Food Drive + Distribution
Get ready for the 17th Annual Ton of Toys and Food Drive + Distribution hosted by Bounce 101.1 radio DJ Crisco Kidd (Josh Carmona) and Radio Hall of Famer Jammin Jimmy Olson. Taking place from Dec. 14 to Dec. 17 at Walmart Supercenter (5250 W. Indian School Rd.), this four-day toy drive in Phoenix benefits UMOM New Day Centers, the Who I Am Foundation, Mindful Wellness and Metro Phoenix St. Mary’s Food Bank as the official food beneficiary. The goal is to collect 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food, 2,000 pounds of toys and 200 bikes during the four-day event. Donors can contribute by purchasing items from a predetermined wishlist at Walmart or by donating online. Registration is open for families in need, and volunteers are sought after for organizing, boxing, setup, takedown, traffic control, gift wrapping and distribution. For more information, visit www.criscoskids.org.
Shredding with Santa/Sanderson Ford Operation Santa Claus Toy Drive
ProShred Arizona hosts Shredding with Santa in partnership with the Sanderson Ford Operation Santa Claus toy drive on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. The Arizona toy drive takes place at Sanderson Lincoln on Bell Road in Phoenix, featuring an appearance from Santa, food and more. The Shredding with Santa shred a-thon 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, which will then be distributed to children in need this holiday season. Plus, residents can donate to Operation Santa Claus through Dec. 20. Anyone who donates will have a chance to win a Ford F-150 Lighting or a Lincoln Corsair. Fifteen donators will be selected as finalist and will win a $100 gift card and a key; the finalist with the key that starts the truck will win it. Three finalists will be drawn weekly on ABC15. For more information, visit givetotheclaus.com/donation-points.