Toys for Tots

NewsChannel 34 is excited to be a part of this year’s Toys for Tots Drive.

You can bring a new or gently used toy to the following locations to help spread some joy to a child in need this holiday season.

21st Century Pools and Spas 3736 Vestal Parkway E. Vestal
Good Shepherd Fairview – 80 Fairview Ave, Binghamton,
Good Shepherd Village – 32 Village Dr, Endwell
Our Country Hearts – 2007 NY-26, Endicott

During 2021 in the Binghamton area (Broome, Delaware, and Tioga Counties) the Marine Toys for Tots program was able to distribute 10,687 toys to support 3,936 children. You can apply to receive toys or donate online at the Local Toys for Tots website at the bottom of this page.

The Marine Toys for Tots program started in 1947 and is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of making a difference in the lives of American families. It began when a Marine Corp Reserve Major’s wife had some hand-crafted dolls that she asked him to deliver to an agency that supported children in need. When he could not find one, she told him to “start one!” In that year Major Hendricks and the Marines in his unit distributed 5,000 toys. With the success of the community engagement campaign, the Commandant directed all Marine Reserve sites to implement the Toys for Tots campaign, making it into a national community action program in 1948.

Presently, the Marine Toys for Tots Program distributes an average of 18 million toys to 7 million less fortunate children annually.

Multiple Toys for Tots programs in Broome County

Here in the Southern Tier, a Toys for Tots program was initiated in 1962 by Broome County Police agencies and volunteers since the national program was not in this area. The Broome County Toys for Tots program will begin on Monday, November 28th, Headquartered in the former Payless Shoes store in the Oakdale Mall.

Sign-up will be open from November 28th through December 10th. The Headquarters will be open:
Monday – Friday from 9 am- 12 pm and 1 pm -4 pm.
Saturdays from 9 am – 12 pm,
Extended hours for sign-ups from 5 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, Nov 30, and December 7th.

Donations can be dropped off during the hours of operation until Monday, December 19^th. Drop-off barrels are located at the Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Endicott Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, and the Vestal Police Department. As well as barrels throughout Broome County.

In order to sign up for Broome County Toys for Tots, you must provide the following documents and meet the following criteria:

1) Must be a Broome County Resident and provide documentation to prove address
2) Must provide Birth Certificates for all children
3) If you are not the parent, you must provide family court custody documents
4) Must show Photo identification
5) Children must be between the ages of 1-10 years (No infants)

IF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP AT THE SALVATION ARMY OR CATHOLIC CHARITIES, YOU CAN NOT SIGN UP AT THIS LOCATION