Spread the spirit of the holiday — here's where to donate toys on the SouthCoast

This holiday season may feel a little different or look a little different, but one thing that never changes is the spirit of the season.

Times are tough for all of us, but some need a little extra help to ensure the magic of the holiday stays alive.

Supply chain disruptions and COVID have affected us all, but it's important to remember families in need this holiday season — picking up an extra toy or two (or three or four!) could make a child's Christmas even brighter.

Whether you can spare a little or a lot these organizations would greatly appreciate your help in ensuring that the children of our communities have gifts on Christmas morning.

Laney Matteson, right, decided to use the $1,000 her grandmother left her, to purchase toys to donate to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys-for-Tots in Dartmouth.
Laney Matteson, right, decided to use the $1,000 her grandmother left her, to purchase toys to donate to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys-for-Tots in Dartmouth.

Dartmouth

“Fill The Van” Toy Drive, 371 Slocum Road

The Help SAVE Foundation is holding its first annual “Fill The Van” Toy Drive for families in our communities affected by domestic violence They are looking for donations of unwrapped toys for all ages. Gift Cards to anywhere will also be accepted to give the moms /dads doing their best to keep their family safe some holiday cheer.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 4 in the parking lot of Coastal Kids Inc. There will also be a box for drop-offs at USA Homemade Donuts, 78 Hathaway Road, North Dartmouth.

Friends of Jack Foundation Toy Drive, 77 State Road

Milestone Mortgage Solutions has teamed up with the Friends of Jack Foundation to collect toys for their annual toy drive. You can drop off unwrapped toys from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 15.

Fall River

Toys for Tots and Access Ambulance, 638 Quequechan Street

Access Ambulance has partnered with Toys for Tots to gather toys for kids this year. They will be at the Fall River Walmart from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 to gather toys and stuff the Ambulances with the gifts for families in need.

Stuff-A-Bus Charity Toy Drive, 550 Newton Street

The Ponte Group and team will be holding its first Stuff-A-Bus charity toy drive. Donate any new and unwrapped children's toys from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5 at Al Mac’s On-The-Go for this special event. When you donate you'll receive a voucher for a free hot cocoa cookie to warm up inside.

Shorty's Pub Christmas Toy Drive, 87 Aetna Street

Shorty's Pub has a variety of ways for you to donate this holiday season. There will be a toy drive from 2 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Pub with music playing by Funhouse. You can also drop off your new unwrapped gift during any business hours or if you can't make it text (774) 930-7611 to schedule a pickup.

Operation Christmas Program, 110 Webster Street

The Maddox J. Almeida Foundation is bringing joy this holiday season to families less fortunate. They are holding a toy drive for Citizens For Citizens in memory of Maddox from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 12 at the Portuguese Madeirense Sports Club Inc.

Bring an unwrapped toy between 10 to 11 a.m. and receive one free photo with Megan Rego Photography. Hot beverages and pastries will be provided.

7th Annual Toy Drive, 657 Quarry Street, Bldg B

Amaral & Associates Real Estate is hosting its 7th Annual Toy Drive during their Season of Giving. Each year they collect donations of new, unwrapped toys for children who range in age from toddlers to teenagers to help make this time of year a little brighter for local families. Consider donating a toy or two at their Fall River office during business hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The toys will be collected until Dec. 10.

Fall River First Responder Toy Drive Challenge, any Fall River Police or Fire Station

The Fall River Police Patrolman’s Union has once again challenged the Fall River Firefighter's Union to a First Responders Toy Drive Challenge. The drive is held annually to collect toys and raise funds to purchase toys for Greater Fall River families.

Both unions will send members to a polar plunge on Jan. 1 and the losing union will be taking the plunge in shame.

The goal is to see who can raise more donations — money and toys value combined. Toys can be dropped off in the lobby of any Fall River Police or Fire Station. The competition will run until Dec. 15 and all donations will be given to Greater Fall River families in need.

Toy Drive for the YMCA Toy Fund, 139 South Main Street, Suite 403

Norcom Mortgage will be collecting toys for the YMCA Toy Fund. This toy drive provides toys to kids in need from the Fall River and New Bedford area.

Fairhaven

Christmas Toy Drive, 21 Berdon Way

The Better Community Living Family Support Center is holding a Christmas Toy Drive until Dec. 15. Donations can be dropped off at Dorothy Cox's Chocolates to receive 10% off your next purchase. Gifts can also be dropped off at the BCL Family Support Center, 5 Ventura Dr., Dartmouth. Call (508) 999-4300 ex. 170 or email marisa_rebelo@bettercommunity.com with any questions.

Marion

Fill-A-Cruiser, 16 Spring Street

Marion Police Brotherhood and Marion Police Department will host the annual fill-a-cruiser event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 at the bus loop area of Sippican Elementary School.

The public is asked to donate new, unwrapped toys for children within the community. Other items that are needed include socks, gloves, hats, scarves, winter coats, and boots for all ages and sizes. Personal hygiene items are also needed.

The event also assists The Justice Resources Institute, a local non-profit organization that provides intensive foster care and adoption programs for children and adolescents within the community.

As participants enter the bus loop, they should pull up to the door where Santa will be seated. A helper elf will assist with collecting donations. The helper elf will also hand out treats to children in the car, while supplies last.

Letters to Santa can also be brought to the event. A special mailbox will be on-site to collect letters for Santa.

Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times due to Covid restrictions.

New Bedford

Mass Lottery Toy Drop-off, 200 Theodore Rice Boulevard

The Mass Lottery is hosting a holiday toy drive at Claim Centers across Massachusetts.

Up until Monday, Dec. 13, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys at prize claim centers throughout the state

23 Annual Toy Drive, Any New Bedford Fire Station

United Way of Greater New Bedford and the New Bedford Firefighters’ Union are asking you to donate new, unwrapped toys or gift cards to help bring Christmas joy to all children in our community. Donations are needed by Dec.15 in order for the collection and distribution to organizations that work directly with families in need.

Thousands of toys are collected and distributed to agencies in Greater New Bedford each year. From trucks and dolls to games and books, items for all ages from newborns through teens are needed. Gift cards and movie tickets make great gifts for teenage recipients who are often left out of toy drives. You can shop from home and have it delivered to them using Amazon.

There are also many businesses with drop-off spots for the toy for the drive, you can find them here.

Friends of Jack Foundation Toy Drive, 32 Hillman Street

Milestone Mortgage Solutions has teamed up with the Friends of Jack Foundation to collect toys for their annual toy drive. You can drop off unwrapped toys from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 15.

Somerset

Stuff-a-Cruiser Toy Drive, Slades Ferry Avenue

The Somerset Police Department will be collecting unwrapped toys from noon to 4 p.m. Dec.5 at Winterfest. Donations can also be dropped off in the boxes located in the police department lobby, they need new and unwrapped toys of all types for boys and girls 12 years and under.

Swansea

Plante Jewelers, 147 Swansea Mall Drive Unit 4

Plante Jewelers is accepting gifts for all the children and youth served by Saint Vincent's Services. Anyone who donates a new, unwrapped present will be entered into our Prize Drawing. A winner will be drawn on Dec. 15, for a $200 Plante Gift Certificate.

Saint Vincent's requests that presents be donated by Friday, Dec. 10, so they can be wrapped and made ready for Christmas. Plante's will take any donations through December, and Saint Vincent's will use these for last-minute gifts and other occasions throughout the year. Every gift is appreciated.

Call Plante Jewelers at 508-673-0561 for more information and gift suggestions, and you can visit saintvincentsservices.org.

Project Holiday Hope, 260 Ocean Grove Avenue

The Swansea Recreation Commission wants to make this Christmas a happy and safe one while striving to end domestic violence. Project Holiday Hope will be collecting donations from now until Dec. 20 and distributing them to local domestic violence shelters as well as local families in need.

Donations of gift cards, new toys, women and children’s clothing, coats, accessories, and toiletries are needed. The donation drive will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14 at the Swansea Community Center. Donations can also be mailed to Swansea Recreation/ Holiday Hope at PO box 524 Swansea, MA 02777 or send an email to Swansearec@gmail.com to arrange for donation pick up.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and need help please contact Christine at Swansearecreation.ma.gov all inquiries are completely confidential.

Tiverton

VFW Toy Drive, 134 Shove Street

Tiverton VFW 5392 is holding a toy drive at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the VFW. Bring in a $10 unwrapped gift or $10 donation and get a chicken or meat pie dinner.

Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive, 590 Main Road

Humphrey's Building Supply is partnering with the Tiverton Police Department for the Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive from Nov. 1 through Dec. 12th. Brand new unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Humphrey's Building Supply.

Westport

“Fill The Van” Toy Drive, 336 State Road

The Help SAVE Foundation is holding its first annual “Fill The Van” Toy Drive for families in our communities affected by domestic violence They are looking for donations of unwrapped toys for all ages. Gift Cards to anywhere will also be accepted to give the moms /dads doing their best to keep their family safe some holiday cheer.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 in the parking lot of Westport KartWay. There will also be a box for drop-offs at USA Homemade Donuts, 78 Hathaway Road, North Dartmouth.

Team Shai’s 4th annual Toy Drive, virtual

Team Shai is holding its 4th annual Toy Drive this year for the children at Boston Children's Hospital. Things are going to look a little different this year due to Covid 19 and for the safety of the children at Boston Children’s Hospital. Unfortunately, they will not be collecting physical donations of toys again this year, that they heavily depend on to spread Christmas cheer to the children and their families, but they are offering virtual monetary fundraising to help the Oncology and Transplant life team purchase toys safely so you can now help from the comfort of your home.

To donate to these children who need Christmas joy more than ever visit http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/goto/team_shai.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. For all Toys for Tots local locations please visit Toys for Tots.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Christmas toy donation drives: Where to drop off gifts for needy kids