Second Chance Toys

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

As part of an effort to give back to the community, Westfield Pediatric Dental Group, located in Westfield, NJ, held a drive to collect gently used toys from its patients. An overwhelming response resulted in over 100 toys being collected for Second Chance Toys. Sasha Lipton, Founder of Second Chance Toys, presents Dr. Timothy McCabe of the Westfield Pediatric Dental Group with a certificate of appreciation.

Head Start Receives 100 Second Chance Toys for Perth Amboy Center

Members of the Head Start team load up Second Chance Toys for distribution to children ages 3 - 5 in their Perth Amboy Center. The effort was coordinated by Karen Boateng of the Community Development Institute.

Sasha Lipton Receives Resolution from Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders

The Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Union in New Jersey presented Sasha Lipton, founder of Second Chance Toys, with a Resolution in recognition of her efforts. They congratulated Sasha for her dedication to helping others in conjunction with a donation of 125 Second Chance Toys to the Union County Toy Drive. Gathering to present the Resolution to Sasha at the Union County Administration building in Elizabeth, NJ along with the donation of Second Chance Toys are (from left to right) Mary Krech, Toy Drive Coordinator, Union County Department of Human Services, Bette Jane Kowalski, Chairwoman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Sasha Lipton (holding the offical Resolution), and Angel G. Estrada, Vice Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Sasha received the formal Resolution following an official dedication in the Board room at the Freeholders meeting.

Second Graders Give Second Chance Toys

The entire second grade class at the Irwin Elementary School in East Brunswick collected plastic toys as part of a social studies unit about community and doing good for others. Second Chance Toys helped the class connect with Head Start of Middlesex County and orchestrate a donation. The children donated nearly 100 toys, many of which were their own. Second Chance Toys was on hand to present the class with a Certificate of Appreciation for their hard work in helping other children and the environment. Directors from Head Start had an entire bus load of toys to deliver to the children they serve. 

Second Chance Toys Continues to Check for Recalled Toys

We continue to check rescued toys against lists published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html in a continued effort to ensure the toys we collect are acceptable for donation. Any toys resembling those on the list are disposed of through local plastic recycling programs. While the majority of Second Chance Toys rescued are 5 or more years old, we continue to be diligent to ensure the more recent recalled toys are eliminated from any donations.

Children from the Our Lady of Peace Parish Youth Ministry Make Donations of Second Chance Toys

Children from the Our Lady of Peace Parish Youth Ministry in New Providence, NJ recently collected and cleaned toys for donation to the Division of Youth and Family Services and to St. Anne's Soup Kitchen.

700th Toy Donated to Elizabethport Presbyterian Childcare Center

Donating the first toys to the new Presbyterian Childcare Center in Elizabethport, NJ is Sasha Lipton (left), founder of Second Chance Toys. This marks the 700th toy donated to date. Receiving the donation is Donna Scott, Child Care Director for the center.

Leaguers Headstart of Newark Receives Second Chance Toys for Distribution to Local Centers

The Leaguers Headstart, serving families of preschool children in the Newark, NJ community, received a donation of Second Chance Toys. Accepting the toys on behalf of the organization is Dorece Bishop, Assistant Director of Community Services & Parent Involvement.

Sisters & Brothers Outreach Ministries Receives a Donation of Second Chance Toys

A donation of Second Chance Toys was made to the youth of Sisters & Brothers Outreach Ministries, a charitable organization in Elizabeth, NJ. The children from the community broke into joyful song lead by Pastor Sheila Fall (left) joined by Sasha Lipton (right), founder of Second Chance Toys.

Investors Savings Bank Serves as Drop-off Location for Second Chance Toys

Investors Savings Bank (https://www.isbnj.com), an independent community bank in New Jersey has opened it's doors to help facilitate the collection of Second Chance Toys in the Morris County area. The Denville branch, located at 276 E Main Street, Suite 3 (in the CVS Shopping Center), has been serving as a facility to collect toys from bank employess, area customers and local community residents.

Through the initiative of Ms. Carrie Caruso, Branch Manager, dozens of toys have already been rescued. Ms. Caruso, who first learned about Second Chance Toys through a story in the Daily Record.pdf, wanted to help make a contribution to SCT's environmental and child-related efforts.

Standing with a recent collection of toys ready for pick-up at the Denville branch of Investors Savings Bank is Carrie Caruso. For more information on drop-off hours, please email slipton@secondchancetoys.org or contact the Denville branch at 973-983-0594.

Dalrymple House Learning Center Receives Donation of Second Chance Toys

Receiving a donation of Second Chance Toys on a beautiful autumn day at the Dalrymple House Learning Center in Randolph, NJ are Jane Carotenuto, Site Director (right) along with some of the kids from the center who couldn't wait to begin some play time.

Donation of Second Chance Toys made to Peer Place Child Care Center in Denville, NJ

Second Chance Toys completed a busy month of donations with a delivery of colorful toys to the Peer Place Child Care Center in Denville, NJ. Receiving the donation of toys was Joanne Jamison, Site Director of the Peer Place Child Care Center along with several smiling children anxious to play.

Morristown Neighborhood House Accepts Donation of Second Chance Toys

Mable Stapleton (left), Program Manager at the Morristown Neighborhood House in Morristown, NJ, accepts a donation of Second Chance Toys from Sasha Lipton.

Kids have a Blast with Second Chance Toys at Salvation Army Day Care Center

Kathy Paparella (rear left), Director of Operations, Salvation Army Day Care Center and Sasha Lipton (rear right), founder of Second Chance Toys, enjoy watching the children at the center in Morristown, NJ have some fun with the newlly donated toys.

Newark Early Learning Center Receives Donation of Second Chance Toys

A load of Second Chance Toys made their way to Harmony House Early Learning Center in Newark, NJ today. Receiving the toys were Maria Stephen (third from left), Director of Harmony House Early Learning Center along with several of the children at the facility, all of whom were eager for some play time.

Second Chance Toys Stays Current with List of Toy Hazard Recalls

Second Chance Toys is mindful of the toy hazard recall which was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, affecting about 9.5 million toys in the United States.

While there are a large number of toys, which in recent months have come under scrutiny worldwide for containing dangerously high levels of chemicals and toxins, at Second Chance Toys we continue to review the rescued toys against published lists from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html to ensure any toys in question are excluded from our toy donations.

Santa Comes Early to The Arc of Morris County

Delivering toys for all good girls and boys at the Arc of Morris County is Sasha Lipton (center), founder of Second Chance Toys. Receiving the toy donation are Ann Espada (left), Assistant Executive Director and Sarah Cunningham (right), Administrator, Developmental Daycare Program, both of the Arc of Morris. All children were given an individually wrapped toy to take home.

Second Chance Toys Does it Again with a Donation to The Arc of Middlesex

Added to a busy summer of donating Second Chance Toys, Linda Jacob, Director of Family Support and Emily Meyers, Family Support Resource Coordinator, both of The Arc of Middlesex County, receive a wonderful supply of toys, games and puzzles for some of the older children at their facility in North Brunswick, NJ 

A Batch of Second Chance Toys Donated to Shapiro Center for Infant Development

Sue M. Brand receives a donation of Second Chance Toys from Sasha Lipton (right) at the Shapiro Center for Infant Development, The Arc of Essex County, in East Orange, NJ

Bloomfield Family Support Services Receives Donation of Second Chance Toys

Sasha Lipton (left) shares a donation of wrapped Second Chance Toys with Jayne Gaer, Director of In-Home Family Support Services, The Arc of Essex, at their facility in Bloomfield, NJ

Donation of Second Chance Toys Made to Hana Mission of Paterson

Receiving a batch of Second Chance Toys with some of the children are Bill McDermott, Child Ministry Assistant and Robert Zaccone, Child Ministry Coordinator, both of the Hana Mission in Paterson, NJ.

YoungLives Receives Donation of Second Chance Toys During Summer Picnic

Taking time out during a beautiful summer afternoon, Sasha Lipton (left), founder of Second Chance Toys, makes a toy donation to Lucy Droege, Eastern Division Associate from YoungLives and more than 25 families with young children attending a July picnic from the North Plainfield, NJ chapter.

The Arc of Union County Kohler School Receives Over 30 Donated Toys for their New Bright Beginnings Center

Sasha Lipton is at it again, making a donation of rescued and sanitized Second Chance Toys to James Carovillano, Principal of The Arc of Union County Kohler School in Mountainside, NJ.

The Arc of Bergen and Passaic Receive Donation of Second Chance Toys

Sasha Lipton brings smiles to children at the Arc Child Center in Pompton Lakes, NJ where Ms. Eleanor Ariemma, Director of Early Childhood Services of The Arc of Bergen and Passaic receives more than 30 donated toys.

Second Chance Toys donates to Second Street Youth Center in Plainfield, NJ

Sasha Lipton, who started Second Chance Toys, donated 30 toys today to Ms. Gloria Bishop, Education Manager and Ms. Frances Jones, Director, both of Second Street Youth Center in Plainfield, NJ.

Second Chance Toys Brings Miles of Smiles to The Arc of Union Bright Beginnings

Children at The Arc of Union thought Santa Claus had shown up when Sasha Lipton, who founded Second Chance Toys, delivered over 30 toys which had been rescued and sanitized for donation.

Second Chance Toys donates to The Family Violence Center in Newark, NJ

Second Chance Toys donated reclaimed and refurbished toys to Ms. Lemira Reese, Donations Director and Ms. Virginia Díaz, Domestic Violence Response Team Coordinator, both of The Family Violence Center in Newark, NJ.