Toy Chest

Once upon a time...... a very special bear arrived during Toy Chest time at ResourceWest.  Something about this bear caught everyone's eye, and he was carefully placed in a chair at ResourceWest.  Soon it became clear..... this was a bear with a story to be told.

Years ago there was a family, with small children and a commitment to those in need.  Each holiday season, the children in this family shopped for toys they really wanted, and then donated those toys to the local toy drive.  Soon the children asked, "Why doesn't Mom shop for a toy to donate?  Mom loved Teddy Bears, so each season she chose a bear to be given away.  Now she knew how her children felt - giving away something she really loved.

Years later, after the kids were grown, Mom heard about the Toy Chest Drive at ResourceWest. She knew what she had to do - shop for a bear to love - and then donate it to the Toy Chest program.  A shopping trip to the store, and this special bear just fell off the shelf and into her arms.  "I need a home," said the bear.  It was truly a bear to love!
....And so began the annual Toy Chest Drive at ResourceWest! 

ResourceWest's Toy Chest provides new gifts to low-income children living in Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood, and Woodland. Families receive one large item, 2 smaller items, and stocking stuffers for each child. More than 1,000 area low-income children benefit from this program.

Parents continue to struggle with ever increasing housing, energy, transportation, and food costs. In turn, family budgets are stretched thin, so parents might have less money available for gifts for the holidays.

2009 Toy Chest registration: December 7-11, 2009
Toy Chest distribution: December 15-19, 2009

Support the Toy Chest program

Support the Toy Chest program

• Don’t like to shop, or don’t have the time? Our volunteers love to shop! Donate now through our secure online site. Your donation can also be in someone’s name to the Toy Chest program, and they will receive a note informing them of your thoughtful gift.
• Become a drop site. Collect toys at work, church, through your civic organization, or in your neighborhood.
• Turn your party into a collection opportunity! Instead of exchanging gifts, have everyone bring a gift to donate to the Toy Chest.
• Volunteer to buy, sort and distribute toys. Contact us to find out more.

2009 Toy Chest gifts needed:

Ages 0-4
Pop-up or "talking" books. Crib toys.  Rubber or Squeak Toys.  Musical Toys.  Toy Household Appliances.  Toy Tools.   Duplo Sets.  Fischer Price Toys.  Playschool or Tyco Toys.  Tub Toys

Ages 5-10
Speak and Spell Toys.  Tonka Trucks.   Pokemon Books & Toys.  Art and Craft Sets.  Sporting Equipment.   Lego Sets.  Model or Construction Sets.  Science Kits.  Doll Houses and Accessories.  Educational Toys.  Games (ages 7 to Adult).   Puzzles/Books.  Children's DVD’s.

Ages 11-18
Radio/CD Players.  Arts & Crafts Sets.  Watches.  Teen stocking stuffers.  Duffle Bags.  Sports Team apparel. Sports Equipment (soccer balls, basketballs, hockey, baseball, etc).  Gift Certificates (Malls, Target, Sports Stores, iTunes, Best Buy, Plato's Closet, Coffee Houses, T.J. Maxx, Fast food, Movie Theaters).  Books.  CDs.  Electronic Games.

Other needs
Wrapping paper, gift boxes, gift bags, decorations, and artificial trees

Register for the Toy Chest program

To qualify for this program, you must:

• Be a resident of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood, or Woodland
• Have an income that qualifies your family for the Free or Reduced School Lunch Program. To see if you qualify, please open this document (free & reduced lunch guidelines)
• Have physical custody of the children
• Your children must be under the age of 18 and registered for school.

You must bring the following to your appointment:

• Current utility bill (within 30 days for proof of residency)
• ID for yourself
• ID for your children (school ID, medical insurance cards, Social Security card)