Watching my kids get on the bus this morning for school, it is hard not to feel blessed. My kids are happy and healthy. Unfortunately not all parents can say that. I can’t imagine what it must be like for families who are struggling. For families who are dealing with loss or a devastating illness. In times of need, nothing is more important than having your family with you. Which is why family charities like Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) are so important and why we are hosting a toy drive fundraiser!
Did You Know?
In 2016, RMHC provided 2.4 million overnight stays to families. This gave those families the ability to spend more time with their sick children, to interact with their doctors, and to make important decisions about their children’s care.
Through the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs, RMHC provides places for families with sick children to stay just steps from the hospitals where they are receiving critical medical care.
Teaching Children to Give Back
My kids are very lucky, but I’m not always sure they know just how lucky. They want for very little and our hardships haven’t felt insurmountable. I want my children to grow up thinking of others. I want them to feel grateful for what they have and enjoy giving back to others less fortunate. One way to teach them is to volunteer their time or donate what they already have for children’s charities like RMHC.
Host a Toy Drive Fundraiser
A toy drive is just one way to give back and easy for kids of all ages to understand. Taking something that was once theirs and giving it away to benefit another is a very tangible way to show how to give back. They get nothing in return except the knowledge that it helps someone else. It also helps me do what I love, which is to teach my kids better values and give them a more organized playroom.
Steps for Hosting a Toy Drive
- Get the word out. Let other people know you are hosting a toy drive and selling the toys to benefit RMHC or other charity.
- Gather toys. Get your kids involved in choosing which toys to donate. Toys they’ve outgrown or no longer play with are great options. Children can clean them up so they are ready to sell. With permission, set up set up a collection at your child’s school, church or other organization. You can also get your neighbors, family and friends involved.
- Sell the toys. Host a rummage sale, sell in online groups or organize your own online event. If you choose to sell online, take pictures of all the toys. Offer them at a set price or auction style and arrange pickup after.
If this sounds too complicated, scale it back to fit your within your schedule. It is better to keep it small and follow through than over extending yourself. Selling your own toys instead of collecting still teaches your child how to give back without a large time commitment.
Toy Drive Fundraiser Flyer Free Printable
To help market your toy drive, download one of these free flyers. They can be altered digitally with the png file or simply print them out and add any necessary information for your fundraiser by hand with the pdf version.
- Toy Drive Fundraiser Flyer for RMHC (pdf)
- Toy Drive Fundraiser Flyer for RMHC (png)
- Toy Drive Fundraiser Flyer for any charity (pdf)
- Toy Drive Fundraiser Flyer for any charity (png)
I look forward to seeing how much we can raise doing something I needed to do anyway. I wanted to teach my children to give back while getting their playroom organized at the same time. It is a win-win!
#RaiseLove for RMHC
You can also do what you love to raise money for RMHC! Love to bake? Host a bake sale! Enjoy crafting? Sell your crafts! Can you juggle? Why not #JuggleForRaiseLove? Ask friends to pledge a certain amount for every catch with your juggling balls. (I really wish I could juggle!)
Support the Cause
I hope you’ll join me in raising money for #RMHC! Get your fundraiser started today by visiting the Raise Love RMHC page. To keep up on my efforts (or donate), please visit my Toy Drive fundraiser page!
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