10 Years of Partnership: Paramount and Second Chance Toys

This Paramount Community Day 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Paramount (formerly ViacomCBS) and Second Chance Toys.

Since the beginning of our collaborations, the Paramount community has given immense support behind the scenes as a Valued Supporter, as well as on the front lines, where they have saved thousands of toys from landfills and kept them in circulation and where they belong, in the hands of deserving children. 

In celebration of Community Day 2023, and in conjunction with the earlier Earth Month, Paramount hosted two far reaching yet close-to-home impactful initiatives with Second Chance Toys. 

Firstly, as spring approached and the yearly cleaning season began, Paramount families were invited to clear out their own outplayed toys sustainably with SCT. Led by the Corporate Social Responsibility Team, this initiative allowed families to make an impact from their own homes, by packing up and shipping outplayed toys directly to one of the Second Chance Toys recipient organizations. SCT hosted a short information session over video conference, and prepared a simple set of instructions for donors on which toys are acceptable to donate. Since Paramount graciously underwrote shipping, and the community was eager to make an impact in another area, this batch of toys was matched with one of SCT’s newest partners, New Beginnings 4 U Inc. of Raleigh, NC. 

Though Spring Cleaning was finished out, the demand for toys continues to grow everyday, and as always, Paramount was geared up to continue to work to fill it! This Community Day on June 14, Paramount sent a delegation of volunteers to SCT satellite toy drop-off location, Fair Lawn, NJ Recycling and Public Works. The crew spent the morning working tirelessly to screen donations in preparation to be re-circulated in the surrounding communities. This comprehensive screening included unpacking, cleaning, refurbishing, and reuniting small parts, all culminating in packing the toys up for pick-up. All together 500 toys were inspected and cleared for donation, therefore averaging about 2,000 pounds of unnecessary plastic waste diverted from landfills.  

Team co-captain Danielle Rowe-Jackson reflects on the experience: “It was truly a pleasure to work with you and your team at Second Chance Toys.  I think we all loved the idea of giving a toy another opportunity to make a child happy.” 

These items have been matched with the New Jersey Community Development Corporation of Paterson, NJ, where they will be distributed to children and families they serve in the Great Falls area of Paterson. 

“It is such an honor to be included in the Paramount Community Day lineup once again. SCT is especially proud and excited this year to have the Paramount team back out in-person with us screening toys for the first time since 2019! Feels great to be back outside, making an impact and having a great time!” says Zoe Cook-Nadel, Director of Second Chance Toys.

An entire decade, countless memories, and tens of thousands of toys later, Second Chance Toys is extremely grateful to call the Paramount CSR and the entire community part of our family. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and continue to make innovative impacts with Paramount.