Toys For Tots Camden

Non Profit
Written By Kanan St.Rose

Alison Shores sits down with Greg and Michelle from Toys for Tots Camden/Charlton to unpack how the local campaign truly works—and how the whole community can get involved. Instead of pre-packed toy bags, their team runs a full “shopping mall” experience where registered parents choose age- and gender-appropriate gifts with the help of a volunteer shopper. The conversation covers why cash donations are crucial for serving teens, the many volunteer roles needed before and during the big event, and how the campaign remains community-owned—housed at Restoration Church but powered by partners and volunteers across Camden and Charlton Counties. They share key deadlines (registration closes Nov 1; toy collection through Dec 12; distribution on Dec 13), emphasize that 98% of funds go directly to toys (with ~2% covering essentials like volunteer meals, tables, and shirts), and celebrate five years of growth—now serving 6,000 children and expanding to Charlton. Listeners get clear next steps to donate, host a toy box, volunteer, or register for assistance.

 

Summary Highlights

  • What makes this campaign different:
    A parent-centric shopping mall model—tables organized by age and gender, guided by a volunteer shopper; each child receives three toys, plus a family game/puzzle and stocking stuffers, with gift-wrapping offered on site.

  • Why cash matters (especially for teens):
    Boxes fill up with little-kid toys. Donations fund teen-friendly gifts (e.g., earbuds, phone cases, hair dryers/curling irons, makeup kits, cologne, sunglasses), ensuring older kids aren’t left out.

  • Community-owned, not church-owned:
    The effort is housed at Restoration Church but belongs to Camden & Charlton Counties—open to everyone and driven by community partners.

  • Use of funds:
    ~98% of donations purchase toys; ~2% covers essentials like volunteer meals, tables for shopping day, and volunteer t-shirts. Goal: secure in-kind support so 100% can go to toys.

  • Volunteer opportunities (Oct–Dec):

    • Collect toys from community boxes

    • Sort and stage toys at the warehouse

    • Set up the shopping mall

    • Be a Shopper-Host on distribution day (1–2 hr shifts)

  • Key dates & deadlines:

    • Family Registration closes: Nov 1

    • Toy collection cutoff: Dec 12

    • Distribution event (“shopping mall”): Dec 13

  • Scale & growth:
    5 years, ~6,000 children served; campaign now includes Charlton County.

  • Find a box / host a box:
    Register locations via the Toys for Tots website (search “Toys for Tots – St. Marys, GA”); sites are mapped in an app so donors can find the nearest box. The team can register locations for businesses that prefer not to do it online.

  • Fundraising & partners:
    Ongoing community fundraisers (e.g., Carve) with calls for business partnerships to co-market events and boost impact.

  • Year-round effort:
    Heavy season wraps by January; planning restarts by June/July to meet holiday needs.

  • How to help (quick actions):

    1. Donate (cash strongly encouraged for teen gifts)

    2. Host a toy box at your business

    3. Volunteer (collection, sorting, setup, shopper-host)

    4. Register families by Nov 1 if help is needed

    5. Follow & share: Camden/Charlton Toys for Tots on Facebook for updates

  • Mic-drop message:
    “This belongs to Camden County—come be part of it.”

Contact Information

toysfortots.org

Kanan St.Rose

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