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Founded in 2006 by Northwestern University student (and now college graduate) Sasha Lipton, Second Chance Toys is a non-profit organization dedicated to salvaging toys for children in need. Twice a year, the movement collects unwanted toys, primarily through city landfills, and donates them to community organizations.

Q: Where did your vision for Second Chance Toys come from?

The idea initially came about at my home in New Jersey, where towns collect garbage once a week. Bigger items are left on the curb to be taken away, and while I was driving around with my Mom, I noticed how many toys were being disposed of. Many of these toys were good as new, and I began thinking about how they would just be going straight into a landfill. Not only did I realize how bad this was for the environment, but also how many kids in need would love to have these toys.

Q: How did you get Second Chance Toys up and running?

I literally began by power-washing toys in my backyard, and then researching places that would accept them. Little by little, the donations were accepted, and I was able to send the toys to several different areas. In terms of receiving capital for funding the startup,my parents were definitely the primary source; they paid for everything, including legal fees.

Q: As a college student running an organization, it must have been difficult to keep everything in check. How did you balance your workload and other obligations?

Overall, my role has changed as the organization has grown. When Second Chance Toys first started, I was physically cleaning the toys and making each donation to the organizations. Now, because of the partnerships that we have, and the way that Second Chance Toys is situated, I don’t have to physically be there for everything; I’m able to offer my opinion and ideas through video conferences or e-mails. My role is primarily oversight, so in terms of balancing everything, I just make sure to prioritize what is important.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced as a young entrepreneur trying to gain recognition?

When I first started, a lot of organizations felt uncomfortable with a young teenager calling them up, and trying to donate toys that had already been used by other children. Once I found an organization that would accept the toys, my story was put in the local newspaper. That exposure made what I was doing seem legitimate to others, prompting them to come forward and also accept toys.

Q: What has been your best experience since creating Second Chance Toys?

Just being there to donate the toys in person, and getting to meet the children receivingthe toys, has been great. A lot of these kids come from families that can’t afford to buy toys. They are always so excited, and often are in disbelief that the toys are for them and that they can actually take the toys home. It is extremely rewarding to think that if it not for Second Chance Toys, toys that would be sitting in landfills are instead bringing smiles to countless children.

Q: In turn, what was your toughest experience? How did you stay motivated to keep going?

It was very discouraging at the beginning. I was cleaning all of these toys, and even though they were as good as new, no one wanted to accept them because they had been used. I remained positive, and figured that there had to be someone out there willing to take the toys in. Eventually I found an organization in Newark that was willing to accept the toys.

Q: Is there anything else about Second Chance Toys that we should know?

As a nonprofit organization, we are always growing. We’re currently looking for corporate sponsors, especially one that produces cleaning and disinfecting wipes. It would be great to partner with a company that could be the official wipe of Second Chance Toys.

Q. What advice would you offer to others who are looking to follow in your footsteps?

Don't give up when challenges come your way.  If you believe in yourself, and are determined to make a difference, any idea can become a reality.

Interview conducted over the phone by Gabrielle Hughes, Contributing Editor, EntreRev.com

 

Hilltop Elementary School Library Media Center and Second Chance Toys teamed up during Earth Week in an effort to make a meaningful difference within the community. Over 100 gently used plastic toys were donated to children in need at Morristown Neighborhood House and Head Start of Morristown, NJ. The students arrived at the after school event with their stuffed animals and two or more plastic toy donations. They participated in song, poetry, stories and movement as they prepared to tuck in their animals for the night. These creative volunteers combined helping their underprivileged peers with a fun and educational event.  Great work!

Nolia Design brought Second Chance Toys to Colorado by holding their own Earth Week Toy Drive. Natalie White, owner of the full-service ecological design firm, discusses her experience below.

What attracted you to Second Chance Toys? 

This past holiday season I planned to collect my families used toys and those of my friends to donate to kids in need. I struggled to find a local agency that would accept used toys. I did not want to dispose haphazardly of my family’s toys, as many used toys are good as new--then I stumbled up Second Chance Toys. Their outreach abilities and mission were inspiring.

Why is collecting gently used plastic toys important to you?

I am deeply concerned about the state of our environment and our children. I feel that teaching young children to give up something they care about for another child of less fortune is an epic childhood lesson. Of course, the proliferation of plastic toys is astounding, and re-allocating them is a wonderful re-use strategy.

What role did your company, Nolia Design Inc., play in the collection process?

Nolia Design Inc. facilitated the toy drive by collaborating with local businesses that generously allowed us to set-up in high traffic areas around Fort Collins. We created eye-catching Earth Day displays using tables covered with sod and plants in our collection sites, added large collection boxes and crayons for kids to draw with, and provided educational materials, wildflower seed packets and coupons from our business sponsors. To promote the event we sent out several email campaigns, created a Second Chance Colorado Face book page, posted the event on our website, and sent out press releases to regional newspapers.

What was the best part of collecting for Second Chance Toys?

Knowing that every single toy makes a difference in a child’s life, particularly those who have no toys or very few. With the first toy collected, we considered the drive a success.

Do you plan to hold another Second Chance Toys collection?

Yes, the team at Nolia Design has begun planning for our Holiday drive. We plan to collaborate with sponsors to place them in businesses, pre-schools and other kid friendly sites. We hope our partners will use their networks to promote the drive, and leave the bags on site for a couple of weeks to facilitate collections. We are also planning to expand our scope beyond Fort Collins to include Boulder. Additionally we may work with another non-profit that has a large used children’s sale every fall and collect their un-sold plastic toys.

If you had to give one piece of advice from your experience to other collectors, what would it be?

Integrate the collection sites into the daily routines of families or other possible donors. Instead of having narrow collection windows for just a couple of days, try to maintain the collection sites for longer periods.

On the set at Fox 5 Sports (left to right) Chris Canty, NY Giants defensive lineman, Jocelyn Goldberg and her Dad Alan Goldberg who coordinate major toys collections in the Big Apple, and Duke Castiglione, sports anchor for Fox 5.

Chris Canty of the NY Giants joined the Second Chance Toys including Sasha Lipton (founder) with the NYC team, Jocelyn and Alan Goldberg in a donation of over 500 toys collected at NY Kids Clubs in celebration of Earth Week. Toys were generously transported by our valued supporter, 1-800-Got-Junk?