Turning surplus new toys into joy for schools and nonprofits
Nearly 4,900 new toys found their way to area children through a donation distributed through Community Forklift’s Community Building Blocks (CBB) program. Two local nonprofits and five Title I schools are distributing the over $14,000 in toys (including plush animals, Slinkies, Matchbox cars, Play-Doh, and slap bracelets) to families facing significant need.
Playtime Project is one of the organizations distributing the toys. Founded by social worker Jamila Larson and attorney Regina “Gina” Kline more than twenty years ago, the nonprofit cultivates resilience in children experiencing housing insecurity by ensuring they have access to transformative play. Through trauma-informed programs, they bring toys and creativity into shelters, transitional housing, community spaces, and schools. Last year alone, Playtime Project served 618 children and youth, provided 300 holiday gifts, and delivered 240 backpacks.
Getting toys where they’re needed most
Today, Playtime’s mission is as urgent as ever. “This is a busy time of year for everybody,” says Jamila Larson, executive director and co-founder of Playtime Project. “For schools and nonprofits serving children and families facing poverty, the needs are higher just when it feels like our reserves are lower.”
When Community Forklift reached out about the surplus toys, Jamila also contacted local schools that could use the support. Within hours, she heard back from Hyattsville Elementary, Mt. Rainier Elementary, Springhill Lake Elementary, J.C. Nalle Elementary, and Barnaby Elementary. “I couldn’t believe in most cases it was the principals themselves who showed up to pick up the toys. They were so eager for the help,” Jamila shared.
The schools will use the toys as rewards to encourage attendance and positive behavior. Playtime Project will use them as stocking stuffers and “play kit” components. Community Forklift also provided a portion of the toys to Welcome Home Neighbor, which supports families transitioning from shelter to stable housing. One community school coordinator summed up the impact: “Thank you for thinking of us! We are always looking for ways to assist our families, and these donations are wonderful. They will be a big help for our students!”
How to support this toy donation’s impact
This donation was made possible through Community Forklift’s CBB program, which provides free materials to nonprofits, schools, and community groups. Support for this work comes through material and financial donations to Community Forklift.
There are many ways to help keep this impact moving forward. Playtime Project welcomes monetary contributions and toy-registry fulfillment to help sustain their programs. Welcome Home Neighbor is seeking storage space in Hyattsville for donated household goods that help families as they move into housing. And at Community Forklift, residents can support our CBB program by donating materials, shopping at our reuse warehouse store, or giving financial support that keeps these community resources flowing.
“For schools and nonprofits serving children and families facing poverty, the needs are higher just when it feels like our reserves are lower.”
Every time you donate or shop at Community Forklift, you’re helping us lift up local communities through reuse. We turn the construction waste stream into a resource stream for communities in the DC region – by keeping perfectly good items out of the landfill, preserving historical materials, providing low-cost building supplies, and creating local green jobs.
