With the cold weather and good tidings, it’s the season for filling up stockings and warming up by the fire. Various organizations seek to fill the hole left by current economic strains to bring joy to their surrounding communities. For those who are in a giving mood, there are many ways to help those in need with a toy for the stockings and wrapped presents under the tree.
Saturday, Nov. 29
Salvation Army Circle City Toy Run
Moose Lodge #17, 7055 E. 16th St
1 p.m.
This year, the Salvation Army is holding a toy run featuring a few dozen Santas riding their motorcycles (sleighs) to support Central Indiana’s Angel Tree Program. The drive known as the 31st Circle City Toy Run will begin at the Moose Lodge #17, 7055 E. 16th St., starting at 1 p.m. To support, other local businesses will help by providing additional drop-off sites.
IndyWest Harley-Davidson: 6201 Cambridge Way, Plainfield, IN 46168
Dreyer Honda Can-Am: 4152 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46241
Sugar Shack Saloon: 5560 S Brookville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Tony D’s Restaurant: 5918 Dragon Dr, New Palestine, IN 46163
Clean Comedy for a Cause Toy Drive
The Wit Theater – Home of ComedySportz
3808 Shelby Street
4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Looking for a night of laughter and giving? Well look no further because the Clean Comedy Toy Drive is coming back to Indy for the holidays. The family-friendly performance features headliner Lee Hardin along with comedians such as Hoss Ridgeway and guest star Demond Cherry. Attendees can share joy with local children by donating toys.
https://tickets.cszindianapolis.com/event/clean-comedy-for-a-cause-7-00-pm-cyivnm
Saturday, Dec. 6
WRTV in partnership with the Salvation Army
Kroger
Fishers – 7450 Fishers Station Dr. Fishers, IN
Greenwood – 8745 S Emerson Ave
Brownsburg – 975 North Green St.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Your local Kroger is also helping aid families by hosting a Toy Drive drop-off. There are three locations designated to receive your gifts in Fishers, Greenwood and Brownsburg.
Kids’ Voice Holiday Drive
6075 Lakeside Blvd.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Kids’ Voice is accepting donations for children in need this holiday season. To help, this organization is sharing wish lists from local children that donors can fill. You can browse the pre-made wish lists from the categories provided or find the Sponsor a Wish List option to see all available lists. You can choose to sponsor one or multiple wish lists. Find further instructions in the link below.
https://www.kidsvoicein.org/gift-drive/
Saturday, Dec. 20
Annual YMCA Toy Drive
Indiana State Fairgrounds 1202 E 38 St.
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The YMCA has held an annual Holiday Toy Drive that has helped over 60,000 children receive toys for Christmas for more than 24 years. They plan to reach more than 3,000 children this year.
https://indymca.org/events/toy-drive/
Ongoing drives
Shepherd Community Center
4107 E. Washington St.
Nov. 1 – Dec.17
Help bring joy to your neighbors this Christmas by giving through the Shepherd Christmas Store. You can drop off donations at the Washington Street location or purchase items from the Amazon wish list for specific, unwrapped toys.
https://shepherdcommunity.org/toydrive/
Firefly Children and Family Alliance
1575 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street
Dec. 3 – Dec. 5
Dec. 8 – Dec. 9
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dec. 10 – Dec. 12
Dec. 15 – Dec. 16
8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Firefly’s Hope for the Holidays toy drive allows for those who wish to give this season three different options to donate. Jolly givers can sponsor a list for a specific child, donate in person, or provide a financial contribution available for those who aren’t big on shopping for stocking stuffers. To view instructions for these options, visit the link below for more details.
Toys for Tots
Having served over 70,000 children, Toys for Tots has once again begun taking donations to help those less fortunate during this holiday season. With many local businesses supporting the cause, there are locations all over Indianapolis to send your good tidings through.
https://indianapolis-in.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.aspx
This story will update as additional toy drives are announced.
Contact Staff Writer Malik Simon at 317-762-7847.
