Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How can I obtain toys for my children or for someone else?
All families must register to receive toys for the Toys For Tots program. If a child receives free or reduced lunch or the family is eligible for MediCal or Healthy Families qualification for Toys for Tots still requires information on family income.
To register for Toys For Tots in the Santa Maria area contact:
Head Start/Child Development Program, Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, 201 West Chapel St., Santa Maria, CA 93458 805-922-2243
To register for Toys For Tots in the Guadalupe area contact:
Healthy Family Services Center, 4681 Eleventh Street, Guadalupe, CA 93434-0788 805-343-1194
To register for Toys For Tots in the Cuyama area contact:
Cuyama Valley Family Resource Center, 4803 Cebrian Street, New Cuyama, CA 93254 661-766-2369
Q: What kind of toys should I donate?
Toys for Tots distributes new, unwrapped toys to needy children each Christmas. The best toy donations are sporting goods, trains, cars, planes boats, dolls (Barbie, J. I. Joe, etc.), board games, books, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, puzzles, models, hand-held video games and small electronics.
Each year there are particular age/gender groups that do not receive enough toys through donations. Please consider donating a toy for an older boy/girl (12+ years of age) as well as toys for infants (less than 2 years old).
Q: How can I obtain toys for my children or for someone else?
If the child receives free or reduced lunch or the family is eligible for MediCal or Healthy Families they automatically qualify for Toys for Tots. In the Santa Maria area contact:
Good Samaritan Services, 731 South Lincoln St., Santa Maria, CA 93458 805-922-2243
Head Start/Child Development Program, Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, 201 West Chapel St., Santa Maria, CA 93458 805-922-2243
 Q: How can I make a donation to Toys for Tots?
Toys for Tots is a 501(C)3 non-profit public charity and as such your gifts are tax deductible per applicable IRS code (see your tax advisor). If you want to help Toys for Tots fulfill the Christmas dreams of our nation's least fortunate children you can donate funds in cash, check or by credit card.
To Donate Cash
Cash boxes will be placed at many of the toy drop-off locations. If you would like to send a check make it payable to
Toys for Tots, MCL 680
Send checks to:
Toys for Tots, 663 Pismo Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
To Donate by Credit Card
Credit card donations are accepted through the Toys For Tots Foundation national web site at:
www.toysfortots.org
It is important that we on the Central Coast get credit for your credit card donation through the national Toys For Tots web site. To ensure your donation is "allocated" to our local account we need to inform the national Toys For Tots National Foundation that your donation is to be credited to us. Please send a brief email to our managing Director Barbara giving her the date and amount of your donation so she can notify the Foundation to credit your donation to the Central California Toys For Tots account.
Q : How can my business get involved with Toys for Tots?
A: In the following ways:
- Provide volunteer assistance at distribution event
- Provide logistical support for the pickup and distribution of toys
- Provide fuel for pickup and distribution of toys
- Provide office furniture supplies, computers or other support materials
- Hold a toy collection drive at your business
- Make a monetary donation to Toys For Tots
- Organize a Toys for Tots promotional event in coordination with the Toys For Tots coordinators
- Refer us to other companies
Q: How can I
become a Toys for Tots volunteer?
Coastal Valleys Detachment #1340 has adopted the Santa Maria Toys For Tots campaign in support of the good work Marine Corps League #680 has done for many years to help fulfill the Christmas dreams of our needy children and their families.
For additional information on volunteering in the Santa Maria 2009 Toys For Tots campaign contact:
Dan Cadena, 2009 Campaign Coordinator or call at (805) 928-3307
or
Anita Pomerantz, Deputy Director California Central Coast Toys For Tots
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