Second Chance Toys

Help Children & Help the Earth

Don't let this happen!

Please help us RESCUE and RECYCLE plastic toys.

Second Chance Toys is a community-based initiative which rescues plastic toys and distributes them to needy children while at the same time, helping the environment. Unwanted toys, that are still useable, are rescued and prepared for distribution to children in need through local community organizations.

• DONATE TOYS: Plastic only, must be clean, no small or missing parts and battery operated toys must be fully operational. Contact us for our growing list of drop-off locations.
• GET INVOLVED: If you know of friends, families, students, organizations girls scouts, boy scouts or religious groups that are looking for a great community service project, please let us know or click on Second_Chance_Toys_Getting_Started_Kit.pdf. Contact us at slipton@secondchancetoys.org.
• CREATE CONNECTIONS: If you know of an organization that can benefit from a donation of Second Chance Toys, please contact us at slipton@secondchancetoys.org. We love to see those smiling faces!
• BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR: Your company can GET GREEN by providing support or sponsoring a project on our site or community wide effort. Let's talk soon!!
• SPREAD THE WORD: Please let others know about Second Chance Toys by passing on our information to help create a groundswell of interest and support!!

Second Chance Toys of PA Receives Accolades From The Pediatric Day Health Center

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The Goddard School in Sparta, NJ Donates Toys to Branchville Head Start

The Goddard School in Sparta, NJ in cooperation with Second Chance Toys conducted a toy rescue and recycling program led by the PTO. Over 145 toys were collected and donated to the Branchville Head Start.

Brownies of Amsterdam Elementary School Troop 35 Rescue & Donate Second Chance Toys

The Brownies of Amsterdam Elementary School Troop 35 collected approximately 250 toys from many generous people in the community.

Chelsea, Julie, Taylor, Isabella, Ann Marie, Jessica, Jenna, Angela, Christina, Cara, and Riya spent part of a meeting decorating a toy collection box and creating a poster for the Toy Rescue Drive.  For the poster, Co-Op Leader Claudia Ganas helped each girl trace their hand and titled it “The Earth is in Our Hands”.  They placed the flyer to collect clean, gently used toys in the center of their poster.  They also sent a flyer home with all students in their school. For the next two weeks they watched their toy collection box overflow in the entry way of their school.     

The photo with some of the brownies was taken after only the first week of the troops toy rescue efforts. The teachers from the Somerset County Head Start programs at 3 different schools will get first pick of the toys for their classrooms. The remaining toys will go to low income families in the local community. "Great job girls and great program Second Chance Toys" noted the Co-Op Troop Leader, Alisa Ugalde, who organized the program.          

                            

VIDEO: Second Chance Toys of PA Earth Week Feature

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Earth Week Toy Donations Help Hundreds of Local Children

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.

Second Chance Toys of NYC Kicks Off with its First Toy Drive on Upper East Side

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

Evergreen School Goes Green!!

For Earth Day, Evergreen School PTA in Scotch Plains coordinated a toy collection with Second Chance Toys and donated 325 toys to the Union County Department of Social Services.

Pictured are Second Chance Toys founder, Sasha Lipton, and the fourth graders that helped tag the toys with messages from the students.

Accepting a Certificate of Appreciation from Sasha Lipton are (l to r) Lisa Zimmerman, PTA President, Colleen Haubert, Principal Evergreen School and Lisa O’Brien of the PTA.

Child Development Centers in Bergen County, New Jersey Receive Donations of Second Chance Toys

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.

Four Paramus, New Jersey Elementary Schools Collect Toys for Earth Week

Nearly 400 toys were collected by elementary school students at four public schools in Paramus, NJ as part of a community-wide effort to celebrate Earth Week.

Kristen Haverstick (left), first grade teacher at Midland School receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Second Chance Toys. 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.

Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Second Chance Toys for their toy collection efforts is Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist (left) principal of Parkway School and Brooke Friedman (right) the third grade teacher who organized the toy collection program.

In recognition of their Earth Week toy rescue efforts, Jeanine Nostrame (left) principal of Ridge Ranch School and Noel Drower (right) head of the school's Respect Committee, who organized the toy collection program, receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Second Chance Toys for their initiative.

Sharing in the recognition for their school's participation in the Earth Week toy collection program with Second Chance Toys are Jack, Emma, and Luke, all students at Memorial School.

New Jersey Children's Museum Kicks off Earth Week Activities with Donation of Second Chance Toys

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.

Students from Hallowell Elementary School in Horsham, PA Complete Toy Drive

Students from Hallowell Elementary School in Horsham, PA completed a toy drive to support Second Chance Toys of PA Earth Week toy donations. The program is one of many in the Bucks County area supporting plastic toy rescue and recycling efforts.

Doylstown Intelligencer Covers Planned Earth Week Activities for Second Chance Toys of PA

Doylestown_Intelligencer.pdf

Local Brownie Troop Helps Second Chance Toys of PA With Earth Week Toy Donations

The Brownies of Pine Run Elementary School (Troop #21237) collected more than 60 gently used plastic toys and gave them to Second Chance Toys of PA for donation to underprivileged children during Earth Week.  Second Chance Toys of PA is a community-based program that collects and recycles gently used plastic toys for distribution to disadvantaged children throughout the local region. The local Brownie troop is led by Priscilla Hoke.  Pictured are Shelby Hoke, Priscilla’s daughter, with Kyle and Cara Scott, co-founders of Second Chance Toys of PA. 

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.  

Hamilton Elementary School in Glen Rock Donates Toys For Earth Day

Over 450 Second Chance Toys were rescued by the students at the Hamilton Elementary School in Glen Rock, NJ as part of the school's Earth Day activities. The toys were donated to a local humanitarian organization, Helping Honduras to benefit their Niño Contento (Happy Child) program.

Second Chance Toys of PA Announces Expanded Community Partnerships to Support Upcoming Earth Week Toy Donations

When local high school students, Kyle and Cara Scott, started Second Chance Toys of PA last summer, they knew it was a great idea but did not anticipate how quickly the community would pitch in. 

Recently, an employee at Kulicke & Soffa read about Second Chance Toys of PA and decided to engage her fellow employees to help.  She immediately presented this concept to the employee activities committee at the Fort Washington, PA-based Company of 2,700 worldwide employees and it was unanimously agreed that participation in this drive was an excellent way for Kulicke & Soffa to help.  The company’s activities committee has already begun a campaign and has solicited its U.S. employees to collect gently used plastic toys that Kyle and Cara will be able to donate as part of the Earth Week toy donations they have planned for Second Chance Toys of PA.  The K&S U.S. employees committee believes, “An effort like this brings out the best in all of our employees and we are excited about the opportunity to make a real, positive difference for the children. It’s the right thing to do”.

Kyle and Cara decided that Earth Week (April 18-27) was a perfect event for Second Chance Toys of PA to highlight for its next round of toy donations.  “The purpose of Earth Week is to heighten awareness of environmental responsibility,” says Kyle Scott, a 16-year-old high school junior at George School, Newtown, PA).  “This is a great time to remind everyone to recycle and donate their gently used plastic toys to make lots of deserving children happy.” Kyle’s sister, Cara Scott, a 15-year old high school freshman also at George School agrees.  “We are helping the environment while making a lot of kids happy,” says Cara.  “We are going to provide great toys to literally hundreds of kids during Earth Week. That is something our whole community should feel good about.”

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. 

Second Chance Toys debuts in New York City

First NYC Affiliate Launched by Jocelyn Goldberg

Community service and “giving back” came to life for Jocelyn Goldberg a 7th-Grade Upper East-Sider last winter on a journey to Israel to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of a close family friend.  Traveling together with a group of 12 families (60 in total), Jocelyn had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of her ancestors and learn Israel’s magnificent history.  Instrumental to her trip was learning about charity and the real meaning of “mitzvah” -- a Hebrew word that has come to express the act of human kindness.  While there, Jocelyn helped raise money for orphans at Yeshiva Kiryat Arba in the holy city of Hebron in the West bank near the Jordanian border.   She also helped prepare lunch for over 350 poor and homeless in Jerusalem at the Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchen.  The trip kindled a passion for reaching out and helping the needy which she brought home with her to New York City.

Now, Jocelyn is turning 13 and has chosen Second Chance Toys as a way she can do a mitzvah for under privileged children.  By establishing the NYC Affiliate, Jocelyn says she “hopes to bring the gift of joy and happiness to less fortunate children here in New York City”.

While Jocelyn is not in school, or finding new toy donations, she enjoys soccer, ice hockey, figure skating, horseback riding and preparing gourmet dinners for friends and family at home. 

To donate your gently used plastic toys you can reach Jocelyn by emailing her at JocelynSCT@nyc.rr.com.

Lower Academy of Elizabeth High School Conducts Rescue Initiative with Second Chance Toys

In recognition of Earth Week 2008, the Lower Academy of Elizabeth High School in New Jersey launched a plastic toy rescue and recycling program to benefit St. Joseph Social Service Center, which since 1983 has served the materially poor and homeless community of greater Elizabeth, NJ.

Sasha Lipton Gets The Spotlight at Governer Livingston High School

Sasha Lipton, founder of Second Chance Toys, receives the Student Spotlight in the April issue of The Highlander, the Governer Livingston High School newspaper. Recognized for her community leadership, Sasha indicated that seeing the smiling faces of the children receiving the rescued plastic toys is the ultimate satisfaction.

Evergreen Elementary School PTA in Scotch Plains Plans Earth Day Toy Rescue Effort

The Evergreen Elementary School PTA in Scotch Plains, NJ will be working with Second Chance Toys to collect and donate plastic toys during Earth Day (April 22, 2008). As part of this initiative, the students will be including personalized messages on special hang tags which will be placed on the toys. The toys will be donated to the Union County Department of Social Services which serves 3,000 families in the area.

Elizabethport Tutorial Program Receives Second Chance Toys

A collection of Second Chance Toys was donated to the Elizabethport Tutorial Program held at the Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, NJ.  Accepting the toys from Sasha Lipton, founder of Second Chance Toys (standing second from left) are Pat Reed program supervisor (sitting), Latoya Otis, head counselor (standing left), and counselors Jameela Abdus-Salaam (second from right) and Tywon Robinson (right). The toys were distributed to the entire group of students attenting the weekly tutorial program.

Paramus, New Jersey Public Schools Team Up with Second Chance Toys in Recognition of Earth Week 2008

Four public elementary schools in the community of Paramus, New Jersey will be doing their part this April to help save the environment while providing a gift of happiness for needy children. As part of Earth Week 2008 observances, the Memorial, Midland, Parkway, and Ridge Ranch schools will be collecting clean, gently used plastic toys. Combined with lessons on the importance of recycling and doing good, this initiative will help contribute to keeping these toys out of our landfills. The rescued and recycled toys will be donated to organizations serving disadvantaged children throughout Bergen County, New Jersey. 

The New Jersey Children's Museum to Celebrate Earth Day with Second Chance Toys

The New Jersey Children's Museum will host "Celebrate Earth Day" the weekend of April 19 & 20. As part of the planned activities, the museum has teamed up with Second Chance Toys and will be accepting clean, gently used plastic toys from April 1 to April 30th and in return we will give a return pass for a future visit! During the "Celebrate Earth Day" weekend children will learn about the three R's- Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce. There will be a day full of activities that will teach children to help our environment and save the planet. The museum will be making crafts out of recycled objects. Other activities related to the event will include reading children's stories about the three R's, tips on how to Go Green at any age, and many more activities. To learn more about the New Jersey Children's Museum, please visit http://www.njcm.com or contact the museum at njcminfo@aol.com.

Cambio Newspaper Covers Donation of Second Chance Toys to Helping Honduras

Cambio_Newspaper_Helping_Honduras.021608.pdf

Sasha Lipton Selected as Distinguished Finalist in The 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Sasha Lipton, founder of Second Chance Toys, was selected to receive a bronze Distinguished Finalist medallion in the 2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for recognition of outstanding volunteer work. As part of her community service work, Sasha has also qualified for the President's Volunteer Service Award on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.

Head Start Receives Another Colorful Donation of Second Chance Toys

Members of the Head Start team are at it again loading up more than 100 Second Chance Toys for distribution to children ages 3 - 5 throughout their Middlesex County childcare centers. The toy distribution effort, which was once again coordinated by Karen Boateng (right) of the Community Development Institute, will bring miles of smiles and interactive play to the hundreds of children served by the organization.

Second Chance Toys Reaches Out Internationally to Children of Honduras

                                                                                 Second Chance Toys teams up with Helping Honduras Inc. (www.helpinghn.org) to donate over 200 plastic toys to the needy children of Honduras. Sasha Lipton (left) shows Juan Pablo Cardenas, founder of Helping Honduras, some of the many toys collected for his organization before loading them up for delivery to their Union City, NJ headquarters.

Second Chance Toys Forms Distinguished Board of Advisors

As a means to cultivate insights and guide our ideas to achieve our vision, Second Chance Toys has formed an Advisory Board of distinguished professionals. Members include:

• Dale Bornstein, Partner/Director, Global Practices, Ketchum
• Leslie Leventman, Executive Vice President, MTV Networks
• Craig Scott, President & CEO, TargetRx
• Jerry Shereshewsky, CEO, Grandparents.com
• Bronna Lipton, Spanish Teacher, Scotch Plains– Fanwood Public Schools
• Shelly Lipton, Chief Marketing Officer, Grandparents.com

St. Joseph Social Services Center Receives Over 100 Second Chance Toys

Second Chance Toys donated over 100 toys to St. Joseph Social Service Center which since 1983 has served the materially poor and homeless community of greater Elizabeth, NJ. The toys are expected to bring some cheer to the many children supported by the center. Receiving the toys from Sasha Lipton (right), founder of Second Chance Toys is Sister Jacinta Fernandez (left) representing the leadership of the center. 

1-800-GOT-JUNK? Provides Pick-up and Delivery of Toys Collected at Investors Savings Bank Branches

To us, your gently used toys are certainly not junk!!Demonstrating dedication to community service and the Second Chance Toys mission of rescuing and recycling plastic toys, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, jumped in to help transport toys collected from several branches of Investors Savings Bank. By bringing together the community and local businesses, the vision of Second Chance Toys becoming a national organization is getting closer to reality. To learn more about 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, go to www.1800gotjunk.com. To find an Investors Savings Bank branch near you, go to www.isbnj.com. And to learn more about how you, your community or business can get involved in supporting us in our efforts to rescue and recycle a greater number of plastic toys for needy children, please contact us at slipton@secondchancetoys.org.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? Helps Second Chance Toys Rescue Plastic Toys That Are NOT Junk

1-800-GOT-JUNK? will be assisting Second Chance Toys in rescuing plastic toys by not only donating those they collect but also in providing pick-up and transportation services from the growing number of plastic toy drop-off locations being established.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? is pioneering an industry that is helping people de-clutter and live cleaner, better lives. Whether it’s an old sofa or old lawn furniture in the garage, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? removes it for you. Founded in 1989, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has more than 300 franchise locations in North America, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information on their services, call 1-800-468-5865 or go to www.1800gotjunk.com

Bucks County Courier Times Helps Expand Visibility of Second Chance Toys of Pennsylvania

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Doylestown Intelligencer Covers the Inaugural Donation from Second Chance Toys Chapter of Pennsylvania

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The Independent Press Covers Union County Resolution and Donation of Second Chance Toys

Independent_Press.010908.pdf

ATTENTION SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS: Help Make Second Chance Toys Part of Earth Week 2008 Activities

In order to help build a groundswell of support and involvement around the Second Chance Toys mission of rescuing and refurbishing plastic toys for needy children, we're looking for schools, community and religious groups around the country to incorporate this plastic toy recycling initiative into their activities to commemorate Earth Week 2008 observances (April 18 - April 27). PLEASE help us bring Second Chance Toys to more communities throughout the state and the U.S. There are a ton of plastic toys to be saved from the landfills and an equal number of children in need of toys. The life lessons kids can learn from their participation are numerous and include a better understanding of the importance in protecting our environment and giving of themselves to help children in need. If you are interested in creating a program similar to the model programs already created (Click Here) please contact us at slipton@secondchancetoys.org so we can help in any way possible.

Second Chance Toys of Pennsylvania Started by Local Brother-Sister Team Contributes Toys to Bucks County Chapter of Head Start

Second Chance Toys of Pennsylvania, started by Doylestown-based high school junior Kyle Scott and his sister Cara Scott, distributed over 50 toys today for children at the Bucks County Chapter of Head Start in Morrisville, PA. Receiving the rescued and refurbished toys were 26 delighted children between the ages of 3 and 5 served at the Morrisville Head Start facility led by Director, Marcia Straka. Sharing the toys with the children are Cara Scott (left) and Kyle Scott (right). To donate plastic toys to Second Chance Toys of Pennsylvania, please call 215-990-8615 or email craigoscott@aol.com.

L.A. Spencer Elementary School in Newark Receives Second Chance Toys

Mindy Schwartz (left) of the L.A. Spencer Elementary School in Newark, NJ receives a collection of Second Chance Toys from Sasha Lipton, for 2 classes of special needs children.

Second Chance Toys Brings the Spirit of Christmas to Newark Children

Toys, toys, toys! This is what several children at the Newark Housing Authority's Belle Mead facility will be experiencing for the holidays. Receiving a donation of over 125 Second Chance Toys for the children at the Belle Mead residence in Newark, NJ are Katrice Gillespie (right) and Samuel Sykes, who contacted Second Chance Toys in order to help make a difference for the kids in their community, many of whom were going to be without toys for the holidays.

Westfield Pediatric Dental Group Takes Up A Collection for Second Chance Toys