The holidays are shining a little brighter in Toledo once again — WTOL 11’s Gift of Joy toy drive is back! Running Thursday, Nov. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 18, 2026, and sponsored by PNC Bank, the annual community toy drive is collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts to bring holiday cheer to kids in the care of Lucas County Children Services.

Every gift makes a difference. The drive provides presents for children from birth to age 18 whose families are involved in some way with Lucas County Children Services, which is currently serving nearly 1,800 local children. That includes children in their parents’ custody or in the custody of a relative or kinship caregiver while the family receives services.

“The common thread for all these children is that they have all experienced some kind of trauma,” Lucas County Children Services said. “The community literally ‘wraps its arms’ around these children, who have experienced so much trauma, and lets them know that they matter, and they deserve to celebrate the joy of the season.”

Gifts are needed for all age groups, but there is a particular need for infant and toddler toys, since most of the children served are under the age of 5. All toys should be new and unwrapped, but donations of wrapping paper and tape are also appreciated. Independent Living youth, ages 12 to 18, have the option to receive gift cards so they can make their own gift choices — Walmart, Meijer and Target are the most helpful choices.

Volunteers with Lucas County Children Services will pick up donations from drop boxes around the community, sort them by age and type, and caseworkers will then “shop” for the children they care for and deliver the toys to each family.

Downtown Gift Drop on Dec. 3

WTOL 11 will once again host the Downtown Gift Drop at WTOL 11 Studios on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 730 N. Summit St. in downtown Toledo, near the intersection of Summit and Cherry streets. Follow signage and enter through the gate on Walnut Street to donate new, unwrapped toys — without ever needing to leave your car. Santa will also make an appearance at the festive event.

Watch WTOL 11’s Gift of Joy video to see how the drive brings the community together, and read WTOL 11’s full announcement for the latest details.

Where to Drop Off a Gift

Can’t make the Downtown Gift Drop? You can donate at any of these 2026 drop-off locations:

• WTOL 11, 730 N. Summit St., Toledo (during regular business hours)
• Lucas County Children Services, 333 N. Summit St. or 301 Adams St. entrances in downtown Toledo
• Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St., Toledo (pick a tag from the angel trees Nov. 13–Dec. 18)
• Barnes & Noble, 4940 Monroe St., Toledo (holiday book donation campaign)
• iHeartRadio Toledo, 9 N. St. Clair St., downtown Toledo
• Maumee Bay Brewing Co., 27 Broadway St., Toledo
• McSwiggin’s Pub, 26611 N. Dixie Highway, Perrysburg
• Cock n’ Bull, 9 N. Huron St., downtown Toledo
• Assembly American Brasserie, 101 N. Summit St., inside the Hilton Toledo Downtown
• Toledo Mud Hens Swamp Shop, 406 Washington St., attached to the stadium
• Toledo Walleye Swamp Shop, 500 Jefferson Ave., inside the Huntington Center
• Fricker’s, 19 N. St. Clair St., downtown Toledo
• Toledo Pickle, 1030 Water St., downtown Toledo
• Bubba’s 33, 3534 Secor Road, Toledo
• Ye Olde Durty Bird, 2 S. St. Clair St., downtown Toledo
• Iron Workers Local 55 Union Hall, 1080 Atlantic Ave., Toledo
• All Toledo-area Marco’s Pizza locations

Give Online: Click It, Ship It, Gift It

You can also shop online and ship a gift directly to WTOL 11 studios, attn: PNC GIFT OF JOY, 730 N. Summit St., Toledo, and WTOL 11 will help Lucas County Children Services gift it to a child. Please donate by Dec. 18 to get your gift into the hands of a child.

Along with WTOL 11 and PNC Bank, this year’s Gift of Joy sponsors include Friends of Lucas County Children Services, Advance Cleaning, Habitec Security, Ironworkers Local 55, Jonathon Khoi Nail Spa, Med1Care, S&G Convenience Stores, Teamsters Local 20, Walt Churchill’s Market and Yark Automotive Group.

One toy, one gift card, one act of kindness — that’s all it takes to let a local child know they matter this holiday season. Toledo, let’s fill those drop boxes and make this the brightest Gift of Joy yet!

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Julia D’Agostino (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons