Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1483107
Toy Dri ve Done Right PINCH OF GOODNESS Opening presents is a holiday joy for many kids. This season is special, but it can be stressful for families who don't have the means to provide gifts and toys. Hosting a toy drive in your community is one easy way you can help make holiday magic happen for kids in need. Rally your neighbors and follow these tips to make your toy drive a success. MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY TOY DRIVE A SUCCESS. Partner with a local charity. Research and choose a charitable organization in your area. Picking a local organization makes it easier to deliver toys quickly and on time. Visit the YMCA, reach out to your police or fire department, or contact your community manager. They may point you in the right direction. Mark dates. The charity you pick should have a distribution date. You'll need to set and communicate these dates for your toy drive before the charity distributes the toys: • Start date • End date • Delivery date Ideally, your toy drive start and end dates should be at least a week apart. If you can stretch it longer, even better! Get all the help you can. Here's who might be able to help and how: • Chosen charity: Providing fliers, collection bins, or pickup volunteers. • Community manager: Printing signs or offering collection spots. • Neighbors: Planning, organizing, sorting toys, or spreading the word. The more hands at work, the more successful the contribution. Promote the drive everywhere. Post fliers around the community, go door-to-door, and share your efforts with friends and family on social media. Specify the dates and times of your drive, drop-off spots, the organization you're supporting, online donation options, and any must-knows, such as age range, preference for used or new toys, etc. All the details matter! Keep the momentum going. Have fun in the process, keep the momentum going, and motivate people to donate by: • Sending reminders: Use social media or email to remind people you're still collecting donations. • Showing progress: When people see others giving, they want to do the same. If there are empty bins, add a few toys to them yourself. Sometimes people are more likely to donate if toys are already in the collection box. • Making your donation bin a photo-op: Ask donors to send selfies of themselves shopping for or dropping off toys. Then, share these pics throughout the drive. Thank donors. Thank participants with a final "thank you" note that expresses appreciation for their donation and a picture of toys piled high. Shared on social media, emails, websites, and fliers around your community, this will end your cause with warm hearts and happy faces. 30