April 2008

Second Chance Toys of PA announced today that Earth Week toy donations benefited hundreds of children in our area and have helped catapult total donations to more than1,500 toys. Second Chance Toys of PA is a community-based program started by local high-school students, Kyle and Cara Scott, that collects and recycles gently used plastic toys for distribution to disadvantaged children throughout our region.

The Scotts have been collecting toys since the summer of 2007 with donations often provided by families whose kids have outgrown toys that are still in good condition.  For Earth Week, many others in our local community also pitched in to help. Toy drives were successfully run by students at Hallowell Elementary School in Horsham, employees of Kulicke & Soffa, Inc. in Fort Washington, and the Brownies of Pine Run Elementary School in New Britain.  Eric Blum, local franchise owner for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? (http://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/), also volunteered and helped transport collected toys to some of the donation centers.  During Earth Week, hundreds of low-income, deserving children in Warminster, North Philadelphia, Pottstown, Mercer County, and Trenton, NJ were the happy recipients of the toys.

If you would like to donate plastic toys to the Second Chance Toys of PA effort, please call 215-990-8615 or email craigoscott@aol.com.

Cara (age 15) and Kyle Scott (age 17), co-founders of Second Chance Toys of PA.

Kyle and Cara Scott with happy Head Start children and lots of “Second Chance Toys” in  Warminster, PA.

Smiling kids and caregivers at the pediatric day health center at the Millhouse in Trenton, NJ enjoy new playground equipment from Second Chance Toys of PA.

In celebration of Earth Day, Second Chance Toys of  NYC held its first toy drive in a 45 story high rise on the Upper East Side.  “They say, charity begins at home, so I decided to reach out to my neighbors and ask for their help” according to Jocelyn Goldberg, founder of the NYC chapter. The 350-unit building houses more than 100 families with children of all ages.  We went door-to-door and collected over 85 plastic toys, many of which were in perfect condition and destined for the scrap heap. “Why not give them a second chance with children who could really use them.’’  Toys are being donated to Homes for the Homeless in the South Bronx. HFH shelters over 630 homeless families with more than 1,200 children each day at five separate sites across New York City.  They provide education, shelter, and training to assist parents and children on their way to long-term stability.  For more information on Second Chance Toys or to donate your gently used plastic toys you can reach Jocelyn by emailing her at JocelynSCT@nyc.rr.com

Receiving the toys collected by the Paramus community program including four elementary schools and the New Jersey Children's Museum are Head Start programs in Bergenfield and Hackensack, both part of the Bergen County Community Action Partnership.

Maribel Tapia, administrative assistant at the Head Start Program of Bergenfield, was happy to receive nearly 200 Second Chance Toys for the facility. Joining her is Drew Trautman, Franchise Partner, New Jersey North East for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, who generously donated transportation services for the Paramus toy drive.

Happily receiving a delivery of nearly 200 Second Chance Toys for the Hackensack Head Start facility is Alina Moyano, family advocate at the center.

The New Jersey Children's Museum in Paramus kicked off a month long celebration of Earth Week activities at the museum with a toy rescue and recycling program in conjuction with Second Chance Toys. Museum patrons who bring a used plastic toy in good condition will receive a return pass for a future visit. Toys will be collected from April 1st through April 30th. Go to http://www.njcm.com/ for more information including toys specifications and drop-off times. Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts is Josephine Napolitano, assistant manager of the museum, joined by Anthony, age 4, who enjoyed all the activities the museum has to offer.