Local Programs

The grassroots Second Chance Toys of PA initiative is taking off.  This holiday season, Kyle and Cara Scott's young organization (barely 2 years in operation) is donating another 1,200 recycled plastic toys to children throughout Bucks County, PA, North Philadelphia and Mercer County, NJ.  Donations are being made to 20 Head Start Centers and inner city after school programs in the area. The timing could not be better given the tough economic climate and the growing number of disadvantaged children in the region.  Pictured below are just a few of the happy kids and teachers who appreciated the great holiday gifts which would not have been possible without the generosity of so many in our community.
 
 
 

It’s a blessing that in this economy many are still remembering the less fortunate and are giving generously to make certain Christmas is a wonderful holiday for needy children. 
Thanks to staffers at InterContinental/The Barclay New York Hotel, this year’s Second Chance Toys’ New York City toy drive was a major success.  According to Jocelyn Goldberg, founder of the Second Chance Toys of NYC chapter, “Without their help, this could have been a bleak holiday season for youngsters living in many of the city’s homeless family shelters."
Proceeds from the drive went to Metro Hotel family homeless shelter in Elmhurst, NY. Although, toys were not scheduled to be given out until Christmas, some youngsters got a sneak preview of the bounty of gifts last Monday. 
1-800-GOT-JUNK? generously supplied transportation to make sure no toys were left behind and that each made it to the Metro Hotel family shelter in time for Christmas.  
     

For the 114 kids at Trinidad Head Start, Second Chance Toys of PA has become a good friend.  All the children at this North Philly facility received toy donations from Second Chance Toys just in time for the holidays.  At a rollicking party on Tuesday, December 23, the kids and their teachers gathered to thank Second Chance Toys of PA co-founders, Kyle and Cara Scott (holding the "Thank You" sign in the rear of the photo) and enjoy their "new" toys which are actually refurbished and recycled plastic toys that look and work "good as new".
 

Second Chance Toys of PA delivered toys to children at Morrisville Head Start in Morrisville, PA just in time for the holidays! At a special party on Tuesday, December 23, the kids and their teachers enjoyed their new toys and some great holiday snacks too. There were more than enough smiles to go around!
 

 

Parents and children from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill participated in a toy drive to support Second Chance Toys of PA toy donations during this holiday season.  The effort was part of UUCCH's Religious Education program and was a tremendous success that will benefit lots of local children in need!
 

On December 21st, the JCC of Central New Jersey conducted a Second Chance Toys drive as part of their Mitzvah Day activities. Pictured are two employees of the Plainfield Teen Parenting Center picking up the 40 toys that were donated in time for the holidays.
 

Marks Paneth & Shron LLP rallied to bring much needed toys to less fortunate New Yorkers this holiday season.  MP&S partnered with Second Chance Toys to run their 2008 toy drive.  HR Staffers Anne Marshall and Jessica Helf rallied the troops by setting aggressive goals, reminder emails and creating a strong commitment to keeping the giving spirit alive.  The result?  MP&S employees collected a total of 134 used and new toys! 

MP&S, whose origins date back to 1907, is the 28th largest accounting firm in the U.S., and the 15th largest in the New York area.  The company, headquarters in Manhattan, has over 500 employees with additional offices in Westchester, Long Island and the Cayman Islands.
 
 
     

The Mendham Cooperative Nursery School conducted a Second Chance Toy drive during the first week of December.  The small preschool in Mendham, New Jersey has a big heart and a history of giving back to the community.  It collected over 100 gently used toys and donated them to the Morristown Neighborhood House (MNH).  The preschool and its families hope that it helps make the holidays a little brighter for MNH and the 1500 children it serves in the Morris County area. What a great way, especially during the holidays, for the school’s little ones to learn about recycling and giving to others.
 
 

 
To make the holidays bright, close to 150 toys were distributed to the Bellmead Housing Site in Newark to many smiling children and parents!! Katrice, pictured above, contacted Second Chance Toys to provide the gently used plastic toys for a second year in a row!! 
 

In the spirit of the holidays, Ridge Ranch Elementary School in Paramus, NJ collected and donated Second Chance Toys to help benefit the children of Bergenfield Child Development Center. Ms. Costello, led the toy drive along with the Student Council. They hope to have another collection for Earth Week in April 2009.