Toys for Tots ?

[Aneille]

How likely is it that if you put a highly sought after toy in a Toys for Tot's bin that it will actually get to a child?

Its horrible for me to even think that someone would steal it but I am sure it does happen sometimes.

Does anyone know if there is another way to drop off to make sure it gets to a child?

 

[brasswillow]

Here's a story, but I don't think this is what you are talking about:


Toys for Tots bin pilfered
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A security guard working at Toshiba Corp. was caught on videotape Friday night allegedly stealing toys from a Toys for Tots collection bin, police said.
An employee Saturday morning noticed two large teddy bears were missing from the collection bin in the front lobby and notified the security supervisor.
The supervisor viewed the security videotape from the night before. Police said the tape showed the guard, who police did not name, taking toys out of the bin. The security company contracts with Toshiba.
The guard was called in for a meeting the following day. He did not have the stolen items with him, however, he brought in two toys valued at $8.60.
In addition to the teddy bears, a wooden toy horse and a stuffed animal resembling a horse were also missing. The total value of the stolen items is $150.
The security guard was put on suspension pending an investigation. He could be charged with petty theft.

http://www.irvineworldnews.com/Astories/dec18/toytheft.htm

And another story:

"Last year, the local campaign was facing a shortfall of 2,000 toys just 10 days before Christmas, due partly to the theft of two donation boxes."
http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061112/NEWS01/611120315/1002

It seems the thefts are people who just grab stuff out of the bins rather than insiders taking the good stuff for themselves.

 

[barkley]

we dont have collection bins around here-you have to take the items to designated buisnesses (fire departments are popular places) because they have to inspect the item and determine if it's acceptable (they will only take brand new items, pref. with the shrink wrap undisturbed). the storage facilities have been broken into but there's not much they can do beyond the locking they already have instituted.

 

[HeatherFeather]

I am taking my toys directly to the local Marine recruiters office. I'm pretty sure that the Marines will make sure they at least get to the distribution facility. I'm leery of leaving them in a box in a store, KWIM?

 

[Aneille]

The item I am thinking of possibly donating is a Nintendo Wii. I just don't want someone to grab it and sell it on Ebay or whatever. I mean I can sell it on Ebay if I want to, I don't want someone else to do it.

My kids are going to the Toy Store in a few days to pick out some inexpensive items that they will purchase with their own money. Those I have no problem putting in the bin.

I am cynical I guess.

 

[powellrj]

The item I am thinking of possibly donating is a Nintendo Wii. I just don't want someone to grab it and sell it on Ebay or whatever. I mean I can sell it on Ebay if I want to, I don't want someone else to do it.

My kids are going to the Toy Store in a few days to pick out some inexpensive items that they will purchase with their own money. Those I have no problem putting in the bin.

I am cynical I guess.

Truthfully, I don't think I would. I would sell it myself and give the money to a charity or do an adopt a family type charity where you buy for an actual child so that you would know that the child recieved it.


I hate to be cynical, but remember that the child would also need money to buy the games. We adopt families at christmas and always make-sure to give a couple of games because most families can't afford to buy them.

 

[Aneille]

Actually I had thought about the $ for purchasing games but the Wii comes with Wii sports already loaded. I could probably also donate a new Wii game. The Wii also plays Gamecube games which I have a bunch off and could have my children donate.

I actually don't think the kid will get the sytem though, unless I adopt a family or something. I actually was thinking of maybe selling the 2 Wii's I have on pre-order and then maybe buy a PS2 with the $$ and some games instead, or even a Nintendo DS for Toys for Tots.

I'll give it some more thought.

Edit: Just remembered Toys for Tots makes you donate New so I couldn't donate my used games. That stinks since there is a huge used game market.

 

[EthansMom]

If I were you, I would look into donating the Wii to a local organization that has a fundraising auction prior to Christmas. Our local library has one the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Another option would be to call a local radio station and tell them that you have a Wii and were wondering if they could arrange an on-radio auction with proceeds to benefit a local children's charity. I've often heard the local radio stations do that -- it benefits the charity and gives the radio station good ratings.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well, to further fuel the discussion.

I personally wouldn't donate a toy that had a high resale value to an "anonymous" family. The chance that older siblings/parents/others could just take the toy from the child and sell it for the cash is too high.

If it were me, my first call would be to a local women's shelter that I've donated to and volunteered in. They have a playroom/group room at their facilities and they LOVE to get current items like that for the kids to use.

 

[Aneille]

well, to further fuel the discussion.

I personally wouldn't donate a toy that had a high resale value to an "anonymous" family. The chance that older siblings/parents/others could just take the toy from the child and sell it for the cash is too high.

If it were me, my first call would be to a local women's shelter that I've donated to and volunteered in. They have a playroom/group room at their facilities and they LOVE to get current items like that for the kids to use.

Toby'sFriend - I really like the Womens Shelter idea. I will have to look up some local places like that and ask around but I like the idea. I want someone to play with it, not use the money for something else.

I'll talk to my DH about the different ideas here. Thanks!

 

[PooohBear]

well, to further fuel the discussion.

I personally wouldn't donate a toy that had a high resale value to an "anonymous" family. The chance that older siblings/parents/others could just take the toy from the child and sell it for the cash is too high.

If it were me, my first call would be to a local women's shelter that I've donated to and volunteered in. They have a playroom/group room at their facilities and they LOVE to get current items like that for the kids to use.

I completely agree with this !

 

[golfgal]

I was on the board for a Toys for Tots TYPE program, not affiliated with Toys for Tots and we had a gift size (dollar amount) limit that we set each year. If a donation exceeded that donation size, we would return the product to a store (we had a relationship with stores in the area to do this without receipts as long as they sold the item) and bought gifts that met our guidelines. If we could NOT return the item, we would find someone to buy it from us for the current price in the store and then that money went into our account to buy whatever else we needed. I don't know if Toys for Tots has this policy or not but it would be worth checking into.