I love Toys for Tots! I can't wait till they are set up everywhere this holiday season. I think it is just so great to be able to donate toys to less fortunate children. It's always great to help develop our youth, and toys are a great way to do that at younger ages. Does anyone else donate toys when they go shopping over the holidays?
I love toys for tots. Every year I buy toys separate from family and friends so that I can give it to toys for tots. I think if you have enough to share you should.
We always do a couple of shoeboxes for "Operation Christmas Child" through school and church. I actually haven't been as active with Toys For Tots as a result, though it was a big one for my own mom when I was a kid. My kids also love putting money in the Salvation Army bins with the bell ringers around this time. I think both my husband and I tend to try to collect change and cash just so that they can put it in whenever we see one. Once my kids have outgrown a bunch of toys, I agree, Toys for Tots (or a similar program) is a great way to teach kids a little lesson in selflessness.
It has been a tradition for several years now for me to support my son when he buys a girl and boy toy and donates it to kids that are less fortunate. It is great to have an organization like Toys for Tots around.
I usually donate toys and other items during the Christmas season. My church has a toy drive. We also have a gift wrapping party too. I love getting together with other like-minded people to wrap the presents. It's the highlight of my holiday.
I've noticed that a couple of my local stores don't have Toys For Tots donation boxes anymore. Sometimes I would see a couple of pieces of trash in the donation box with the toys. I'm also not sure that people were buying the toys. I think I once saw someone take a toy of the shelf at Publix supermarket and just put it right in the donation box without paying for it. It only takes a few bad apples to ruin a good program.
I've noticed people not paying attention to the clear rules on the freaking boxes. You cannot donate stuffed animals. I have no idea why people keep doing this. I also noticed people donating soap kits or moisturizer kits or pedicure kits. Why??? Drives me crazy. I know that it's no one's job to patrol these boxes but I also wonder what happens to these donated items?