Toy Drives Ramp Up in Pittsburgh Region for Holiday Season
As the holiday season nears, toy drives in the Pittsburgh region are ramping up to provide families in need of help with toys and gift cards.
Play It Forward Pittsburgh
Play It Forward Pittsburgh is collecting gently used toys and are providing them free to families who are in need or having a tough time.
Celebrating its 15th year, the initiative will enable families to shop in person or to receive a prepackaged holiday box. Those interested can sign up on the Play It Forward Pittsburgh page on Monday, November 17.
The free box pick-up event will be held on Friday, December 12 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, located at 100 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard in Pittsburgh. Those interested in shopping for free will be able to do so at the same site from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 13.
Charlie Batch Annual Holiday Toy Drive
The Batch A Toys drive is organized by the Best of Batch Foundation, a nonprofit founded by former Steelers Quarterback Charlie Batch. The foundation will adopt 400 families, which will provide more than 1,000 children with holiday gifts.
The foundation is still accepting donations, but there is currently no information on how families can participate. Learn more.
Other Drives
Toys for Tots will also operate toy drives this holiday season. Those interested in donating can search by state on the Marine Corps Reserves’ website for the drive. Various regions have their own pages, including Allegheny County.
The Salvation Army Centers of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County operate toy drives such as the Angel Tree. The programs help families to get free holiday toys for children or gift cards for parents. Additionally, the Salvation Army Centers offer meals for seniors and low-income families in Allegheny County.
To apply for financial help or more, visit one of these local centers:
6017 Broad Street, Pittsburgh (412-362-0891)
8020 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh (412-242-1434)
39 W. Main Street, Carnegie (412-276-4757)
The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania will host upcoming collection dates - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 4 and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5 - for its holiday toy drive. This year’s goal is to meet or exceed last year’s donation of more than 700 toys. Those interested in participating can deliver toys to CAWP, located at 800 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 110, in Cranberry Township on the two days in December.