Frequently Asked Questions.
Donating, hosting, and how the drive works. If your question is not here, email us.
Donating a Toy.
What we accept and how to donate.
What kinds of toys do you accept?
New, unwrapped toys for ages 0–17.
What can’t I donate?
Used toys, clothing, food. Every toy we hand out has to be new and unopened.
Can I donate stuffed animals?
Yes, as long as they are new. We cannot accept used stuffed animals.
Where do I drop off toys?
186 Barnard Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. No appointment needed. Find a donation site near you.
Can I donate outside of November and December?
Yes. We accept donations year-round in San Jose. Donation sites across the Bay Area take toys in November and December.
Can I ship toys instead of dropping them off?
Yes. Order anything from our Amazon wish list and set the shipping address to Joey’s Toy Drive HQ at checkout.
I can't get my toys to you. Will you pick them up?
Yes. We pick up donations, free, anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. Request a pickup and we'll reply to set a day that works.
What happens to my toys after I donate?
Our volunteers sort every toy by age, then send the toys out through nonprofits, schools, faith communities, and community organizations across the Bay Area.
Can I donate cash?
We accept toys only. To contribute toward toys, order from the Amazon wish list.
Hosting a Drive.
Signing up, cost, and timing.
How do I host a toy drive at my workplace?
Sign up at joeystoydrive.org/host/start: your organization, where the collection boxes go, and a contact. No account is needed, and your drive is active as soon as you submit.
Does it cost anything?
No. We supply the collection boxes, printed materials, pickup, sorting, and distribution. There’s no setup fee and no contract.
Is my workplace too small to run a drive?
No. Neighborhood firms run toy drives with us, and so do Fortune 500 companies.
When does the drive run?
November and December. Your boxes arrive the week you choose, and your team collects through December 20. We pick up, sort, and deliver everything before Christmas.
Can a school or faith community run a drive?
Yes. Schools and faith communities sign up the same way.
About the Organization.
Leadership, operations, and volunteering.
Who runs Joey’s Toy Drive?
Joey Childs started the drive in December 2012 at age 8, and still directs it. The drive is run entirely by volunteers: a leadership team, plus seasonal volunteers.
Who provides the trucks?
Silicon Valley Moving & Storage donates the trucks, the freight handling, and the space where our volunteers sort toys.
How many toys do you collect each year?
Tens of thousands. Per-year totals are on the impact page.
Can I volunteer?
Yes. We need the most volunteers from mid-November through the end of December: sorting, distribution, and driving. Start on the volunteer page.
Email Us Your Question.
We read every message and reply as soon as we can.