This time of year is plenty festive, but it’s also a time to express gratitude for all we have and share with those who need it most. In that spirit, we’ve rounded up five fabulous Birmingham gift and toy drives to make this holiday season merry and bright for the entire community.
Eastern Toys
More Info: easterntoys.org
At 18, Emondre Johnson founded Eastern Toys, delivering presents directly to the doorsteps of local families in need. Since then, Eastern Toys has spread holiday cheer by providing gifts, toys, and clothes to families throughout the community, with a festive annual event of food, games, and merry fun for the families. “During the event, we discreetly distribute gifts, toys, and clothes to parents, empowering them to present the items to their children in their own special way,” explains Emondre.
Eastern Toys has made the holidays brighter for over 450 children, and this year’s event at the Birmingham Museum of Flight will host roughly 80 guests. “We hope just being surrounded by the museum’s exhibits will ignite imaginations and dreams,” Emondre says.
Donation Details
Eastern Toys accepts new, unwrapped toys, clothing items, and monetary contributions. There are also opportunities to sponsor a child or family. You can donate online here or ship or drop off items in person at 1601 5th Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203. The deadline to donate is Wednesday, December 4.
Eli Thrive Christmas Shop
More Info: elithrive.com
Eli Thrive is an organization focused on community development through helping underserved families. The organization matches families with a team of social work coaches to provide personalized, one-on-one support in crucial areas such as economic stability, housing, employment, and relationships.
Eli Thrive is hosting its 10th annual Christmas shop this year, during which families can shop for brand-new gifts for 10% of the retail price. The nonprofit relies on donations and volunteers, who set up the shop, wrap presents, handle check-out, and keep the kiddos entertained while their parents browse. The shop ensures that nearly 200 children wake up to a holly jolly Christmas morning.
Donation Details
You can shop Eli’s Christmas shop wishlist and have gifts shipped directly or drop off new, unwrapped gifts at the office at 6523 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35206, from Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also check the volunteer sign-up here to see if they need any last-minute help. The deadline to donate is Friday, December 6.
Sugar Plum Shop
More Info: sugarplumshop.org
Deck the halls of Children’s of Alabama by assisting the 15th annual Sugar Plum Toy Shop! Each year, the shop serves hundreds of children who are spending their holiday in the hospital.
“The Sugar Plum Shop is another part of the magical holiday season at Children’s of Alabama,” said Jennifer Conway, the Director of Child Life and Education at Children’s of Alabama. “Most families and caregivers do not plan to be in the hospital during the holidays. Thanks to our community and corporate partners, our families can provide gifts to their hospitalized children at no cost to them. The Sugar Plum Shop is a way for the hospital, volunteers, and community to support these families during this time.”
Donation Details
You can shop the Amazon registry here or donate money here. The deadline to donate is Thursday, December 12.
UAB Toy Drive
More Info: go.uab.edu
This year marks the 31st annual UAB toy drive, which collects new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign. The gifts are then distributed to children in need throughout the Birmingham metro area.
Donation Details
Shop the UAB toy drive wishlist on Amazon or Target and have the gifts shipped directly to UAB. Alternatively, you can drop off toys at collection boxes around UAB’s campus. The deadline to donate is Thursday, December 12.
Circle of Love Holiday Toy Drive
More Info: thecircleoflove.org
Join the spirit of giving with The Circle of Love’s 20th Annual Toy Drive. The organization provides holiday joy and hope for local children in need through its partnerships with shelters around the Magic City: First Light, Grace House, Grace Klien, Jessie’s Place, Lovelady Center, and Olivia’s House.
“I was a child without basic needs from school supplies to Christmas, and I know how these children feel,” explains The Circle of Love Founder Doris Phillips. “When I was nine years old, a family gifted Christmas and food to my family, and it is my goal to give that same feeling to other families.”
Circle of Love has served tens of thousands since its first toy drive in 2004. Thanks to an outpouring of community involvement and donations, the team anticipates serving over 1,000 children this year.
Donation Details
You can shop the Amazon wish list for gifts and have them shipped straight to The Circle of Love. Or, click here for over 140 locations around Birmingham to drop off your new, unwrapped gift. The drop-off deadline is Sunday, December 8.
Get giving, Birmingham!
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