Second Chance Toys

Mill Creek Elementary School Toy Drive Fills The Truck!

 
 

The holiday toy drive conducted by students, teachers, staff and parents of Mill Creek Elementary School in Warrington, PA literally filled the Second Chance Toys truck (lent by our partners at 1-800-Got-Junk?) on Friday December 11.  What an amazing haul by this spirited community.  Toys collected were distributed to Bucks County Head Start in Morrisville, PA, the Samuel Everitt and Walter Miller Elementary Schools, in Levittown, PA, and Little Kids College and the Howley School in Trenton, NJ.  Hey Mill Creek -- Thanks for doing so much to help so many kids and protect our environment!

With 1-800-Got-Junk? On Hand, Who Needs Reindeers!

 

For several years now, 1-800-Got-Junk? franchisees have been volunteering their manpower, time and trucks to pick up and deliver toys collected all over New Jersey. Many thanks go to New Jersey franchisees, Drew Trautman, Doug Martin and Jim Barnett for all their help and hard work. They picked up, carried, loaded, hauled, unloaded toys from locations in ten counties, and delivered 5,564 toys to 20 organizations that care for children in need. As a result of their volunteered time and energy, many children received toys for the holidays! We are sincerely grateful for their support and commitment to helping children and the environment. Pictured is Drew Trautman, picking up toys collected by students of Evergreen School.

Investors Savings Bank Branches Overflow with Toys

 

Once again, Investors Savings Bank branches served as drop off locations for Second Chance Toys’ New Jersey collection. A total of 5,564 toys were collected from the 65 participating branches and their headquarters! Pictured are employees at Investors Savings Bank Headquarters with some of the gently used plastic toys donated.

Nearly 10,000 Plastic Toys Rescued and Donated to Organizations Serving Children in Need

Thanks to all our friends and partners from the community, Second Chance Toys rescued and donated nearly 10,000 toys for children in need this holiday season. Together we are truly helping to make a difference in the lives of others as well as our planet earth. Visit us again in March 2010 for more information about our Earth Week toy drive.

Students Learn About Giving At a Young Age

The Mendham Cooperative Nursery School conducted its second annual Second Chance Toy drive in December 2009.  The small preschool in Mendham, New Jersey has a big heart and a history of giving back to the community.  It collected over 70 gently used plastic toys, which will be sent to children in Honduras.  What a great way, especially during the holidays, for the school’s little ones to learn about recycling and giving to other children.

Scotch Plains School Rejoices this Holiday Season by Recycling!!

 

Evergreen Elementary School held their annual holiday collection with Second Chance Toys and collected a whopping 550 toys this year! Some of the fourth graders helped out by tagging the toys with holiday messages. Drew Trautman, 1-800-Got-Junk? franchisee was on hand to load up the goods and bring them to Union County Social Services, which will distribute the toys to needy families for the holidays.

Newcomers-Encore Club of Millburn-Short Hills Hits the Jackpot with Their Community Outreach Initiative

 

Members of the Newcomers-Encore Club of Millburn-Short Hills collected toys as part of their December Community Outreach initiative. Six carloads were dropped off at the Millburn branch of Investors Savings Bank for distribution this week to disadvantaged children in nearby communities.

 

Trinidad Head Start Readies for December 21st Toy Distribution

Parents and staff of Trinidad Head Start joined Second Chance Toys and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? personnel in unloading hundreds of toys for the youngsters in the center.  This will be the third year of collaboration between the great folks at Trinidad and Second Chance Toys of PA.  We love you.  Happy holidays!

Feltonville Head Start Stocks Up on Second Chance Toys

The teachers and staff at Feltonville Head Start on Rising Sun Boulevard in Philadelphia helped Second Chance Toys and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? personnel unload hundreds of great toys for the kids.  The toys will be distributed during the week before Christmas.  Ho! Ho! Ho!

Logan Head Start Receives a Timely Gift from Second Chance Toys of PA

 
For those who may not know, the wonderful Logan Head Start location on Lindley Ave. burnt to the ground earlier this year. Now temporarily relocated in Our Lady of Hope Church in North Philadelphia, the wonderful teachers, kids and families have stayed together but need our help. Second Chance Toys delivered loads and loads of great toys to the more than 80 children at the center, which will help make the holiday season a little brighter.

Bucks County Head Start Receives More Toys for Kids at Nine Centers

Second Chance Toys of PA delivered hundreds of toys to the headquarters of Bucks County Head Start in Morrisville, PA.  This center is the hub of the 9 Head Start locations in the county.  Toys will now be distributed to the other Bucks County locations, so the kids can receive holiday gifts just in time!

Little Kids College in Trenton, NJ Receives an Early Holiday Present from Second Chance Toys of PA

 

 

Toys galore were delivered to the 3 and 4 year old children at Little Kids College on Monday, November 30.  Great kids and great teachers and all are happy!

Second Chance Toys of PA Surpasses 6,000 Toys Recycled

With continued community support and unbelievable support from the great people of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Second Chance Toys of PA continues to grow at a grass roots level. Local churches, synagogues, families and friends have helped Cara (age 16) and Kyle Scott (age 18) continue to collect more gently used plastic toys, and recycle them, by delivering the toys “good as new” to deserving kids in our community.  The generosity of so many is spreading joy to lots of young faces and that is important in these trying times.  Thanks to YOU, Second Chance Toys of PA has now surpassed 6,000 toys collected with many donations planned in the weeks ahead in North Philadelphia, Bucks County, Trenton, and beyond to coincide with the holiday season!

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Toy Drive A Great Success

The hard working kids of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Doylestown, PA made it all happen on Saturday, November 28th, hosting a toy drive that helped us literally fill a truck!  That is a lot of toys for a lot of kids. Thank you!!!

Newcomers Come to the Rescue Just in Time For the Holidays

Mountainside Newcomers Club, headed up by president, Maritza Armstrong (second from right), held a week long collection of gently used plastic toys this month. Their efforts yielded 330 toys in next to perfect condition!!  Our friends at Helping Honduras loaded up these plastic treasures and will ship the toys to Honduras next week, just in time to arrive for the holidays and make some very needy children happy.

 

 

Second Chance Toys of PA Gears Up for Holiday Drive

For the past two years, teenagers Kyle and Cara Scott and their family have spearheaded the growth of Second Chance Toys of PA.  Their grassroots efforts have paid off.  Teaming with local families, schools, churches, companies and most recently the Philadelphia Phillies, the Scotts have now recycled over 4,000 gently used plastic toys and distributed them to young, deserving children in our community.  It is a win for the environment and for young kids who need and deserve the toys to learn and have fun.

For the 2009 holiday season they are working with a number of local groups to collect gently used plastic toys. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Doylestown, PA is doing a toy drive on November 28.  This is the second time they have supported Second Chance Toys of PA with a holiday drive.  Mill Creek Elementary School and Har Zion Temple will also be hosting toy drives in December.

Haledon Public School in NJ Holds Second Chance Toy Drive

The 6th and 8th grade students of the Bergen County Special Services School District Nova- Haledon program decided to have a used toy drive at the Haledon Public School in Haledon, N.J.  The students of the Nova-Haledon program wanted to help children, who were less fortunate during the christmas season. The toy drive will run from November 16th - December 4th.

Cartridge World and Bethel Lutheran Church in Gurnee, IL Plan Second Annual Toy Drive

After the success of last year’s collection, Cartridge World and Bethel Lutheran Church, both located in Gurnee, IL are collecting again for their second holiday toy drive.  This year’s recipient of the toys is the Head Start program affiliated with Community Action Partnership (CAP) in Waukegan.  Students from the “Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Club “at Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake are helping us with the collection.  Roots and Shoots is a community service club that helps people, animals and/or the environment.  It was started at the beginning of this school year as an 8th Grade Culminating Project by Hailey and Melissa Richter.

Second Chance Toys Begins to Gear Up for Holiday Drive

Second Chance Toys has begun to announce the partner programs for plastic toy rescue efforts this holiday season. The first program announced in New Jersey will be held in cooperation with Investors Savings Bank and 1-800-Got-Junk? As programs are finalized, they will be added to the list.

Second Chance Toys in the Deep South

Northwest Rankin Elementary school held a toy drive in April. The enthusiastic students collected their gently used toys and brought them to the school during the Earth Week related drive. In total, the school donated 513 toys to Gateway Rescue Mission in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

First South Jersey Collection a Success!

From April 13^th until April 18^th Matt McLaughlin, 1-800-Got-Junk? franchisee, stationed drop boxes in the Moorestown Mall, Voorhees Town Center, Brandywine Realty Locations, and Kaiserman locations where over 350 toys were collected and donated to local charities in the area.  The Camden Catholic Charities and the Center for Family Services were extremely appreciative of the donations and look forward to working with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and Second Chance Toys in the future.  This was the first time the gently used plastic toy drive was conducted in southern New Jersey and it was a big success!!!  Matt is looking forward to growing this event and others so that we can help even more families!

 

 

Mt. Horeb School in Warren Collects Over 300 Toys

Helping Honduras received 320 toys from Mt. Horeb School in Warren. Teacher Christine Burkhardt (in black) organized the drive with the students who cleaned the toys and helped load the truck.

Paramus Congregational Church Collect Toys for Helping Honduras

Members of Paramus Congregational Church are pictured with members of Helping Honduras, who have loaded up their truck with 100 toys collected for Earth Week. Janice Hildreth, second from left, helped organize the toy drive with Second Chance Toys. Pastor Duke, second from right, also pitched in. 

 

Logan Head Start Says Thank You to Second Chance Toys!!

 

Helping Honduras Receives 540 Toys Collected from New Jersey Children's Museum

As a result of their month long collection in April in honor of Earth Week, New Jersey Children's Museum collected 540 toys that were clean and as good as new!!! Members of Helping Honduras along with New Jersey Children's Museum’s Josephine Napolitano, who organized the plastic toy drive with Second Chance Toys, loaded up the toys in time for the next shipment to help the many disadvantaged children of Honduras.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago YMCA Receives Donation of Second Chance Toys Collected During Earth Week

As part of Earth Week, the children of Romona School cleaned, donated and delivered 233 toys to Rauner YMCA in Chicago Illinois. 

 

Second Chance Toys Celebrates Earth Day and “Week of the Young Child” At Philadelphia Head Start Headquarters

More than 300 children and their families received hundreds of great toys, compliments of Second Chance Toys of PA.  The recycled toys were collected, cleaned and delivered to Philadelphia Head Start’s 440 North Broad Street headquarters on April 23, one day after Earth Day.  Then, the toys were distributed on Friday, April 24 in celebration of “Week of the Young Child”. A great time was had by all!

Second Chance Toys of PA and the Philadelphia Phillies Collect Hundreds of Great Toys for the Kids at the Ballpark

The weather was wet but it did not dampen the spirits of the Second Chance Toys of PA family and partners, the Philadelphia Phillies.  In celebration of Earth Day 2009, the intrepid SCT squad was on hand at the ballpark to collect toys from Phillies fans.  Toy collection boxes were set up at seven entrances to the ballpark and hundreds of toys were collected for local children.  Thanks to the Phillies and their fans for helping the environment and local children in need!

 

 

Second Chance Toys of PA Toy Donations Top 4,000!

For the past two years, teenagers Kyle and Cara Scott and their family have spearheaded the growth of Second Chance Toys of PA.  Their grassroots efforts have paid off.  Teaming with local families, schools, churches, companies and most recently the Philadelphia Phillies, the Scotts have now recycled over 4,000 gently used plastic toys and distributed them to young, deserving children in our community.  It is a win for the environment and for young kids who need and deserve the toys to learn and have fun.  Thank you to all who have lent a hand in this labor of love.  Four thousand toys is a milestone number, but just the beginning!

 

 

 

Logan Head Start Students Receive Great Toys During Earth Week

Second Chance Toys of PA paid a visit to the seventy-two children at Logan Head Start on Thursday, April 23, and the kids were thrilled.  With the transportation help of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, a truckload of great plastic toys were delivered to the children.  It was like Christmas in April!  Lots of happy faces on the day following Earth Day 2009.

 

 

Evergreen School Fourth Graders Help Collect Over 300 Toys.

Second Chance Toys of NYC Toy Donations Mark Earth Day and National Child Abuse Month

 

Jocelyn Goldberg, a 13-year-old Upper East Side student who founded the NY chapter of Second Chance Toys, has organized a citywide toy collection to mark Earth Week and National Child Abuse Month.  Second Chance Toys is an organization that recycles gently used plastic toys by donating them to children in need.  Schools, religious organizations and businesses throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn have mobilized drives to recycle plastic toys which do not biodegrade and often wind up in city landfills.  Donations go to community based organizations serving families in need.

According to Jocelyn, "this drive gives kids a chance to help other kids through a program that focuses on those less fortunate and the environment.  In a large city like NY, there can be a great disparity between those that have and those that don't. It is a great lesson for students to get involved and give up something of their own to help others." 

Plastic toys are being collected and transported to local charities and community shelters by 1-800-GOT-Junk?, a full service junk removal company which has volunteered its trucks for transport.

Many of the of toys collected this week are being donated to the Prospect Family Support Center, a crisis center for women and children from Abused Families.  According to Dona Anderson, Senior Program Associate & Camp Services Coordinator, "Homes for the Homeless provides early on-site childcare and childhood education to over 100 young homeless children every day.  National Child Abuse Month is a special time of year that acknowledges the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse in all its forms".  For more information on Homes for the Homeless programs and services please go to go to http://www.homesforthehomeless.com/

Drive Will ‘Rob’ Landfills and Give to Needy Children

Madison fourth graders help children, and the environment

Published in Madison Eagle: Apr 17th

MADISON – A group of Madison fourth graders has teamed up with Investors Savings Bank at 16 Waverly Place to help children, and the environment.

Youngsters are being asked to bring gently used plastic toys to the Torey J Sabatini School, 359 Woodland Road, and the Kings Road School, 215 Kings Road, from Monday, April 20, through Thursday, April 24.

The school-based toy drive was the idea of fourth grader Paige Burnet, who was looking for a way to volunteer in a community service project. She found one on the Internet: the New Jersey-based nonprofit “Second Chance Toys,” which collects used plastic toys and distributes them to needy children.

According to the organization’s Web site, “Second Chance Toys is a community-based initiative which rescues unwanted plastic toys that are gently used and distributes them to less fortunate children through local community organizations, while at the same time, helping the environment.”

Explained Paige, “Needy children get toys, and less plastic ends up in the landfill.”

Paige recruited seven of her friends - Lydia Mutone, Jessica Sterkel, Caroline Glynn, Mackenzie Driscoll, Owen Matthews, Beatrice Stadler and Maura Henry – to help promote the project, and transport the toys.

Finding A Partner

As luck would have it, Paige discovered that in celebration of Earth Day, Investors Savings Bank was partnering with “Second Chance Toys” and setting up drop-off locations at all of its New Jersey branches.

Madison Branch Manager Marsha Ann Zimmerman agreed to allow the children to bring toys collected at their schools to the branch at 16 Waverly Place for pickup.

“We have plenty of space, and are happy to do what we can to help,” said Zimmerman. “This is a great program that helps both children and the environment.”

The final piece of the puzzle was setting up drop-off locations at the schools, and Superintendent of Schools Richard Noonan arranged for the Torey J Sabatini School and Kings Road School collection sites.

According to the “Second Chance Toys” Web site, “We focus on plastic toys - which don’t biodegrade in landfills - such as Little Tikes and Fisher Price brands that are clean and in working order.”

New York Kids Clubs Join Earth Week Toys Collection Efforts

 

For dates and locations click here

Earth Week Toy Drives Announced in NJ, NY, PA and IL

Find a location near you and help do good and green. Our planet and many disadvantaged children will thank you dearly!

Go ahead........lend a hand!

World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies Set to Hold Drive for Second Chance Toys

Philadelphia Phillies to hold toy drive at Citizens Bank Park, April 22 pre-game collection (game begins at 7:00P). For details click here

St Elizabeth’s Church in Wyckoff, NJ Collects Second Chance Toys for Children of Honduras

St Elizabeth’s Church in Wyckoff, NJ recently held a Second Chance Toys collection and was able to donate 200 toys to the children of Honduras. Pictured here are some of the toys that were loaded up to be shipped to Central America.

 

Investors Savings Bank Branches to Serve as Drop-off Locations for Earth Week

 

Once again, Investors Savings Bank branches throughout New Jersey will participate in a statewide toy collection program with Second Chance Toys. 

 

1-800-GOT-JUNK? will be providing transportation of the toys from the bank branches to organizations serving disadvantaged children.  

A list of drop-off locations will be posted shortly.

Second Chance Toys to Partner With Go Green Expo for Earth Week

 

Second Chance Toys with be conducting a city-wide plastic toys drive fo Earth Week to culminate at the Go Green Expo in New York City. For more information on the Expo go to www.gogreenexpo.com

 

High Ridge YMCA of the Chicago Metropolitan Receives Toys

When Second Chance Toys got an email from concerned citizens, Pam and Isabel Reyna, who wanted to prevent their toys and their friends’ toys from ending up in the landfills, Second Chance Toys found them an organization that would gladly accept their collection of plastic toys in good condition. The High Ridge YMCA of the Chicago Metropolitan area was the recipient of 50 beautiful toys!!

Second Chance Toys Makes a Difference on New York’s Lower East Side

Here are some happy faces from kids in the Educational Alliance’s early childhood program along with toys provided by Second Chance Toys’ holiday toy drive.

 

 

University Academy Charter High School in Jersey City Supports Second Chance Toys

 

University Academy Charter High School in Jersey City worked with Second Chance Toys to conduct a month long plastic toy drive at their school. The drive was spearheaded by teacher, Mr. Angel Cora along with the associate member students of the Psi Sigma Phi Multicultural Fraternity. The students worked hard to collect, clean and sort the toys. The Jubilee Center in Hoboken, NJ was thrilled to receive the 200 toys donated.

Brownie Troop Completes Collection and Donation of Second Chance Toys

Brownie Troop 193, under the leadership of Cyndie Decowski, collected 150 toys and donated them to the NORWESCAP Head Start program in Washington, NJ. Pictured here are the girls who cleaned, sorted and counted all the toys and presented a meaningful donation this past December.

Second Chance Toys Extends the Holiday Gift Giving Spirit into the New Year

 

This week, Second Chance Toys came to New York's Lower East Side with a bounty of toys for The Educational Alliance and its Head Start Program. These gently used plastic toys, most certainly destined for a land fill, have now found a new home. The Educational Alliance is one of the first settlement houses on the Lower East Side. It is a community-based organization offering a wide range of programs that integrate education, social services, arts and recreation throughout Downtown Manhattan. Originally founded to help Eastern European Jews assimilate into American society, it has proven to be an important stepping stone for all that have begun their American journey in Downtown Manhattan. The Educational Alliance now has 80 programs at 32 sites.To help make this all possible, 1-800-GOT-Junk? provides pick-up and transportation from drop-off locations to organizations like The Educational Alliance.

Chicago Kindergarteners from Walt Disney Magnet School Learn True Meaning of The Holidays

 

This December, Kindergarten students from Disney Magnet School in Chicago got to experience what giving is all about.  With the help of Second Chance Toys, the students donated over 100 gently used toys to the Humboldt Park YMCA as part of their Citizenship unit in social studies.  Students were encouraged to go home and look for plastic toys that were still in good shape and had all their parts.  This was a very daunting task for the five year olds, most of whom had never considered the idea that other children in their own city would not be receiving toys and other gifts this holiday season.  The seven Kindergarten teachers organized the drive, and all were quite pleased with the outcome -- seven garbage bags full of toys that would be put to good use at the west side YMCA.  "The children really got caught up in the spirit of giving,"  commented one teacher.  "Many students really seemed to step outside of themselves and see things from a new perspective -- which is very challenging for young children and quite rare."  The Kindergarten team expects to hold another drive this spring for Earth Week. 

Holiday Donations Boost Second Chance Toys of PA Above 2,700!

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.

 

 

 

Second Chance Toys & InterContinental’s Barclay New York Hotel Help Energize Drive for City’s Homeless Family Shelters

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.  

     

Trinidad Head Start Gives New Toys a Second Chance!

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".

 

Children of Morrisville Head Start Receive Second Chance Toys

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!

 

 

Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill Pitches in for Second Chance Toys of PA!

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!