How to Donate Toys to Needy Children in Maryland

Toys"R"Us stores are one of many locations that accept toy donations.

Donating toys in Maryland is a great way to help local needy children who might otherwise not get many gifts during the holidays. Donation centers frequently give toys to local children, so you will have a direct impact on your community. Maryland residents have many options available to them for donating toys, including the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, which has hundreds of drop-off locations across the state.

Instructions

1. Ensure that the toys you want to donate are in working condition with no missing parts. Toys requiring batteries or extra parts are not preferable because needy families may not be able to afford them. Consider donating toys for older children too, because they are easily forgotten when people focus on toys for little children.

2. Place your toys in boxes or bags to handle easier. Organized donations are processed more efficiently by staff at the donation facility.

3. Visit the "Toys for Tots" website, click "Toy Drop-Offs," select "Maryland" as your state and select your city or county, such as Baltimore, from the drop-down menu. You will be re-directed to a local page that provides additional information on where to drop off toys and who the local Toys for Tots coordinator is. Toys go to needy children in your local Maryland community.

4. Visit any local Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us store in Maryland to donate toys during the holiday season. All toys go to local needy children. Toys"R"Us has a store locator feature on their website. There are more than 25 stores in Maryland, many around the Baltimore area.

5. Check newspapers such as "The Baltimore Sun" for local toy drop-off locations. Advertisements also occasionally appear on TV and the radio.

6. Call local churches, YMCAs and community centers to see if they accept toy donations for needy children. If there are a lack of donation services in your area, consider starting your own.

7. Take your toys to the local donation center and drop them off. There typically is a well-marked bin or box where the toys go. If in doubt, ask an employee or staff member at the location.

References

• Toys for Tots: Donate Toys
• ToysRUs: Helping Kids in Need

Resources

• ToysRUs: Store Locator