Tucson Toy Drives Ignite Holiday Spirit: Join the Effort to Help Santa

As the holiday season approaches, many Tucson residents find themselves grappling with financial challenges, making Christmas gifts an unaffordable luxury. However, for those willing to share the spirit of giving, several toy drives offer opportunities to help local children in need.

Casa de los Niños, in collaboration with Tuff Shed, is running the “Stuff the Tuff” campaign, aiming to fill a Tuff Shed with toys and games for infants to teenagers. Donations can be made at Casa de los Niños, located at 1120 N. 5th Ave., on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alternatively, gifts can be dropped off at Tuff Shed’s North Tucson location, 3502 N. Oracle Rd., or at 3310 E. Gas Rd., Suite 101, during regular business hours.

Ward 3 Councilman Kevin Dahl is also spearheading a donation drive for over 50 children residing at the Wildcat Inn, a transitional housing shelter in Tucson. You can contribute hand toys, art supplies, and coloring books at the Ward 3 Office, 1510 E. Grand Rd., Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., until December 18.

For those interested in helping foster children, the Easter Seals Blake Foundation and Aviva Children’s Services are collecting toys for kids and teens in foster care. Donations can be brought to Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E Broadway Blvd., from December 9 to 11. Online shoppers can access wish lists on platforms like Target, Amazon, and Walmart for convenient contributions.

Cash donations to Aviva can also be made online, which may qualify for an Arizona tax rebate. For further details, contact Aviva at 520-327-6779 or via email at toydrive@avivatucson.org.

In a collaborative effort, News 4 Tucson is organizing a toy drive that benefits Toys for Tots, the Community Food Bank, and the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona. Donations are accepted until December 18 at multiple Pima County locations, including Tucson Fire Department stations, Northwest Fire District stations, and various Pima Federal Credit Union branches. A full list of donation sites is available on the KVOA website.

Additionally, live donation events will occur on December 11 and 18 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Tucson Fire Department Station No. 7 and KVOA Studios, respectively. Fry’s grocery stores are also collecting toys for the Salvation Army until December 10.