The questions
we hear most.
Donating, hosting, and how the operation works. If something isn’t here, email info@joeystoydrive.org.
Donating toys.
№ 01What kinds of toys do you accept?
New, unwrapped toys for ages 0–17. We also welcome gift cards from any retailer, books, games, and art kits.
№ 02What can't I donate?
We can't accept used toys, clothing, food. Used or opened toys don't pass through our sorting and distribution, and clothing or food fall outside our program.
№ 03Where do I drop off toys?
Our San Jose warehouse at 186 Barnard Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. No appointment required — drop in during business hours.
№ 04Can I ship toys instead of dropping them off?
Yes. Open our Amazon Wishlist and order anything from the list. Set the shipping address to Joey's Toy Drive HQ at checkout, and the toys ship directly to the warehouse. It's the easiest way to give.
№ 05Is my donation tax-deductible?
Joey's Toy Drive is in the final stages of formalizing 501(c)(3) status. Until that's official, we're not able to issue tax-deduction receipts. This page will be updated as soon as that changes.
№ 06Can I donate 50 or more toys at once?
Yes — we'll come to you. Free pickup anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area for donations of 50 or more toys. Email info@joeystoydrive.org with the count, address, and a date that works.
№ 07What happens to my toys after I donate?
Toys are sorted by age and gender at the San Jose warehouse, then distributed through a network of partner nonprofits, schools, parishes, and community organizations across nine Bay Area counties during the last week of December.
№ 08Can I donate cash?
Not at the moment — we're focused on physical toy donations and waiting on 501(c)(3) formalization before accepting cash. If you'd like to support financially, the Amazon Wishlist is the closest path: you spend money, we get the toys.
Hosting a drive.
№ 01How do I host a drive at my workplace?
Email info@joeystoydrive.org with your workplace name, contact, and expected toy count. We confirm within one business day and ship collection boxes before November 1.
№ 02Does it cost anything?
No. We supply the collection boxes, printed materials, pickup, sorting, and distribution. The workplace supplies a location and the people. There's no setup fee and no contract.
№ 03What size organization can host?
Any. Companies from 10 employees to Fortune 500s host drives. Schools, parishes, scout troops, and community groups also host every year.
№ 04When does the drive run?
November 1 through December 18. We pick up boxes at the end of season and distribute the week between Christmas and New Year's.
№ 05Can a school or parish host instead of a workplace?
Yes. The process is identical — same boxes, same materials, same pickup. Schools, parishes, scout troops, and community groups make up a large part of the 120+ partner network.
About the organization.
№ 01Is Joey's Toy Drive a nonprofit?
Yes — we're in the final stages of formalizing 501(c)(3) status. The drive has operated continuously since 2012 with no paid staff.
№ 02Who runs Joey's Toy Drive?
Joey Childs founded the drive in December 2012 at age 8. He's still the director. The operation is 100% volunteer — six core leadership roles plus a wider volunteer team during the season.
№ 03Where does the operation happen?
Our warehouse at 186 Barnard Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 is the central operations hub. Toys come in from 120+ workplace partners, get sorted by age, and go out to partner distribution organizations across nine counties.
№ 04What counties do you serve?
Nine: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.
№ 05How are logistics handled at this scale?
Silicon Valley Moving & Storage donates trucks, warehouse space, and freight handling to the drive every year. Their operational support is what makes a volunteer team capable of moving 40,000 toys in six weeks.
№ 06How many toys do you collect annually?
Recent drives: 2024 collected 30,000 toys; 2025 collected close to 40,000. Earlier-year totals are being verified before publication.
№ 07Can I volunteer?
Yes — the busiest volunteer windows are mid-November through end of December (sorting, distribution, driving). Email info@joeystoydrive.org with your availability.
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