Hey Pittsburgh Supermoms! We want to send you a little extra joy as we dive into this festive season. This year, the city is buzzing with some incredible toy giveaways that will light your little ones’ eyes. Don’t miss the Pittsburgh Holiday Toy Giveaways this season.
For all the hardworking single mothers in our vibrant Single Mom Defined Community, we understand that the holidays can sometimes bring joy and challenges. We are thrilled to share the news of these upcoming local toy giveaways designed to sprinkle a bit of magic into your family celebrations. Prepare for a season of smiles, laughter, and heartwarming moments as Pittsburgh’s community organizations come together to make this year memorable for local families, including you and your beautiful children. Read on for all the details, and get ready to embrace the spirit of giving and receiving in the City of Bridges!
Pittsburgh Holiday Toy Giveaways 2023
Kaari’s Christmas Toy Giveaway – December 9, 2023, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Kaari’s Christmas Toy Giveaway will occur at Community Forge on Franklin Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. This heartwarming festive event is held in memory of Kaari, whose life was taken at the age of 4. Now, the organizers enjoy spreading joy and bringing smiles to other children’s faces in her honor during the holiday season.
At this in-person event, kids of all ages can look forward to receiving toys, from cuddly teddy bears to action figures.
The giveaway is limited to one toy per child, and the child(ren) must be present to receive their gift. Register via Eventbrite.
Play it Forward Pittsburgh – December 16, 2023, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Play it Forward Pittsburgh is a gently used children’s toy drive. They accept new and gently used toy donations and allow parents to shop for those toys for free on one of two days during the holiday season.
Generally, recipients must sign up in advance to shop during the toy drive, and sign-ups for this year are full. However, they are accepting a limited number of walk-ins. You can shop for free, without registering, on December 16 between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. You will have an opportunity to choose from any remaining items not already distributed.
The event will occur at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Fishing Rod Foundation Annual Toy Giveaway – December 16, 2023, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
The Fishing Rod Foundation Co. is a Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization that uses fishing as a catalyst to mentor and support at-risk youth. This year, they will host their annual toy giveaway for children up to age 13 on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 1 pm-3 pm at 3868 Baytree Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214. Children will also receive free hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Get more information here.
The Iota Phi Foundation Christmas Toy Foundation Christmas Toy Giveaway – December 16, 2023
For more than 25 years, The Iota Phi Foundation has supported this program at the Iota Phi Chapter’s Christmas Celebration held at the Iota Phi Community Center. Santa’s helpers provide toys, treats, books, and photos with Santa to hundreds of children (12 and under) – demonstrating the true meaning of the holiday season. Register for a pickup time (children must be present) and enjoy holiday music and a free turkey or ham.
YBMKQ World of Excellence – December 16, 2023, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Young Black Motivated Kings and Queens and Early Excellence Project present YBMKQ World of Excellence. Their 8th annual toy drive will take place at Penn Hills Senior High School, 309 Collins Drive, Penn Hills, PA 15235. Enjoy free toys, free food, bounce houses, holiday activities, music, and more.
Charlie Batch Annual Holiday Toy Drive
The “Batch A Toys” drive is organized by the Best of Batch Foundation, a non-profit founded by former Steelers Quarterback Charlie Batch. The foundation is adopting 400 families this year, which will impact over 1,000 kids for gifts for Christmas. They worked alongside Pittsburgh Today Live KDKA and the South Strabane Township Police Department to help collect toys for this program. The Best of Batch Foundation is still accepting donations from the public. Contact the foundation through their website to learn how your family can be adopted this holiday season.
Community Organizations
Catholic Community of Bloomfield
Catholic Community of Bloomfield has programs, including a free food pantry that can help you with ingredients for your Christmas dinner. Their other assistance programs in Allegheny County include a clothing giveaway drive and a Christmas gifts giveaway for youth and infants.
Catholic Community of Bloomfield is located at 4712 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224. For information on applications, call 412-682-5353.
Salvation Army Centers of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County
Salvation Army Centers of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County operate programs like the Angel Tree. Programs help families get free Christmas toys for kids or gift cards for parents. In addition, the Salvation Army Centers also offer meals for seniors and low-income families in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. You can apply for financial help, vouchers for holiday food, and more by calling or visiting the nearest center.
Locations include:
- 6017 Broad St, Pittsburgh, PA. Call (412) 362-0891 for more information.
- 12751 Lincoln Hwy, US-30, Irwin, PA 15642. Call (724) 863-6116 for more information.
- 8020 Frankstown Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Call (412) 242-1434 for more information.
- 39 W Main St, Carnegie, PA 15106. Call (412) 276-4757 for more information.
We hope some of these Pittsburgh holiday toy giveaways, events, and organizations can help you and your family have a wonderful holiday season filled with love, joy, and ease. Do you know of additional holiday help opportunities that can benefit single moms in Pittsburgh? Share with our community in the comments!
Heather
Not long ago, Heather Hopson lived in the Cayman Islands and hosted a television show. Today, she’s back home in Pittsburgh writing a different type of story as the founder of Motor Mouth Multimedia and Single Mom Defined. Utilizing more than a decade of television news reporting experience, Heather assembles teams to tell diverse stories, provide unique perspectives, and increase the visibility of important issues for local and national clients. In 2018, Heather, inspired by her daughter, produced Single Mom Defined, a photo essay and video series that provides a more accurate definition of single Black motherhood than the one society presents.
Heather obtained a BA in Journalism from Michigan State University, where she served as president of the Delta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.