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October 2010

Second Chance Toys Expands to Long Island

Carey SCTphoto Hi, my name is Carey Campbell and I’m the mother of three young children, two boys and a girl.  They are wonderful! But they seem to come with far too many accessories. I had my three in as many years, so it was very easy to reuse and recycle, but when my little one started to outgrow things, I was in a quandary. Most of the toys she had were plastic and still had a lot of life in them, but we had the youngest children of anyone we knew, so I had a hard time finding them new homes. When my friend suggested I just throw them out because it was easier, I knew I had to do something. That statement officially started my mission. I searched the internet (because that’s what you do when you need an answer immediately) and Second Chance Toys came up. I was sold. 
Now, I am the go to mom for recycling.  I am very active in my children’s schools and I make it a point to tell their teachers the mission of Second Chance Toys.  Last Earth Week was my first time organizing the donations, and it was amazing.  We collected over 400 toys (I quit counting after that) and the best part was that I had so many people thanking me because they had nowhere to give their toys to. People want to help, but need to know how, or where to give.  Second Chance Toys is an amazing outlet for everyone.  I made a lot of friends and have somehow even convinced my 6, 4 ½ and 3 year old that giving toys to OTHER people can feel really good.
Plainview Families LOVE Second Chance Toys!

Second Chance Toys Now "Down Under"

Second Chance Toys of Sydney Open for Business Cheryl My name is Cheryl Staddon; I am a Mum of two boys aged 12 and 9 and live in a beautiful part of Sydney in New South Wales Australia.
I am passionate about protecting our environment, assisting others in the community that need some extra help and I’m very excited to be starting up Second Chance Toys in Sydney. 
Earlier this year I was cleaning out my boys toy cupboards, finding near-new toys stored away that had hardly been played with and wondering what to do with them. Many of these toys were barely used, in great condition and could give kids hours of enjoyment.  After handing on some toys to kids of appropriate ages, I was still left with some great toys that were too good to be thrown away. 
I spent time researching charities to see if someone would accept used toys and found that a number of charities do but it was my responsibility to get these toys to these organisations. My Husband was convinced that someone in Australia must have a solution to this problem but it appears that so far no one has! 
That’s when I came across the website for Second Chance Toys in the USA.
What a fantastic organisation and such a simple idea, to rescue unwanted plastic toys and distribute to children in need through local community organisations, while at the same time, helping the environment.
The wonderful organisers at Second Chance Toys are very happy to assist me in starting up a Sydney affiliation of Second Chance Toys and I will be co-ordinating a couple of toys drives through some local scout groups before Christmas. 
I would love to hear from anyone interested in getting involved in Second Chance Toys Sydney either to donate toys, volunteer or become a sponsor. 
For more information about Second Chance Toys Sydney, contact Cheryl Staddon by email at siryls1@optusnet.com.au