The holiday season in Tualatin brings generous neighbors together through toy and gift drives that brighten the lives of local families. These community programs connect residents with simple opportunities to spread joy and support children who might otherwise have little under the tree.
Where to Drop Off Donations
Tualatin makes participating easy with multiple convenient drop-off locations throughout the area. Local businesses partner with regional organizations to accept new, unwrapped toys for children from newborn through age 17.
Team Rehab of Bridgeport and DPI Specialty Foods Northwest participate in the annual KGW Great Toy Drive, working with over 130 local nonprofits to distribute gifts. ServPro of Tigard/Tualatin collects for Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital, accepting toys for youth up to 18. The Tualatin Chamber of Commerce and Riverview Community Bank maintain collection barrels during the season.
Donation deadlines typically fall in mid-December, with some programs accepting items through December 16th or 18th. Even $25 can provide a child with a present during the holidays.
Organizations Making It Happen
Tualatin firefighters began collecting and refurbishing toys in 1946 through a project called Toy and Joymakers, partnering with local churches, including Methodist congregations. This legacy continues today through modern organizations across the Portland metro area.
Toy & Joy Makers, founded in 1914, distributes tens of thousands of gifts annually through Portland fire stations. Churches, schools, and businesses across Tualatin serve as collection points and organizing hubs, with the Tualatin Kiwanis Club partnering with the Tualatin School House Food Pantry.
For those looking to explore guides about giving back in the community, check out more articles about neighborhoods known for their generous spirit.
Teaching Kids About Giving
Families who participate discover powerful teaching moments. Letting children choose which toys to donate and explaining how donations help other kids makes the experience meaningful. Involving children in sorting and packing toys gives them hands-on experience with generosity.
Parents report that when kids actively select items to share, they develop a deeper awareness of how their actions affect others. Teaching empathy through donation creates lessons that extend far beyond the holiday season.
Real Impact on Families
Organizations distribute hundreds of toys to local families, churches, daycares, and community groups each year, ensuring children experience holiday joy. Donated toys become cherished possessions that spark imagination and provide comfort for children facing difficult circumstances.
Distribution events feature gift giveaways, visits with Santa, and community celebrations where families create lasting memories together.
What to Donate
Most drives seek new, unwrapped items for various ages. Educational toys like alphabet blocks, matching games, and science kits remain popular. Active toys like jump ropes, balls, and frisbees encourage physical activity and social connection.
Stuffed animals, board games, art supplies, and building sets consistently rank among the most requested items. Organizations provide specific guidelines about appropriate donations to match current needs.
Join Your Community
Whether you drop off a single toy or organize a workplace collection drive, every contribution matters. These drives connect neighbors and ensure no child feels forgotten during the holidays. Your participation strengthens Tualatin’s tradition of looking out for one another and spreading joy throughout the community.
Sources: kgwtoy.com, pdxparent.com, toynjoymakers.org, discovertualatin.info, aceofheartsproject.com
Header Image Source: Jessica Christian on Unsplash
