Where to Donate Teddy Bears and Toys in Carlsbad this Holiday Season

Marines/County Toys for Tots Drive Still Collecting at Five County Airports including Carlsbad

Donate a new, unwrapped toy at County airports in Fallbrook, Ramona, Carlsbad, El Cajon and Borrego Springs during the Marines annual Toys for Tots campaign.

Donations will be collected until Dec. 8 at Borrego Valley Airport, Carlsbad’s Palomar-McClellan Airport, El Cajon’s Gillespie Field and Ramona Airport. Collections will continue at Fallbrook Airpark through Dec. 15. Pilots can also fly in their own donations at each of the airports. All toys will be given to less-fortunate children from local communities.

Last year, the donations included 35 bicycles, and the toys filled 50 large collection boxes — enough to fill two seven-ton trucks and two large vans.

–San Diego County Press Release

Police collect new stuffed bears for annual teddy bear drive

The City of Carlsbad Police Department and other county-wide law enforcement agencies are collecting new stuffed animals for the 22nd annual Teddy Bear Drive. 

“Officers hope to collect 100,000 bears and other stuffed animals to cheer up some very sick children,” stated Kari Ketchum, City of Carlsbad police dispatcher and organizer of Carlsbad’s participation. “The stuffed toys will be delivered to Rady Children’s Hospital on Dec 11.” 

The teddy bear drive began in December of 1990, when Coronado Police Officer Brian Hardy noticed the toy donation bins at Children’s hospital were nearly empty.  Officer Hardy purchased a dozen bears, asked for approval to use a police car and delivered the bears to the hospital’s sick children.

The program grew each year as fellow officers watched Hardy’s generosity and wanted to participate.  Now there are 22 law enforcement agencies participating and over 100,000 stuffed toys collected.  A caravan of 80 police cars will deliver the toys to the hospital and into the arms of waiting children.

In 2011, Carlsbad Police Department collected more than 300 Teddy bears from community members and city employees. If you would like to donate, the stuffed toys must be new, with the tags still attached. Deliver the toy to the City of Carlsbad Police Department at 2560 Orion Way during regular business hours or to any participating agency by Dec. 11.  Thank you for participating.

–Carlsbad Police Press Release

Additional Donation Sites/Events in Carlsbad

West Inn & Suites Annual Holiday Event and Toys for Tots Drive

Carlsbad Police Collecting Unworn Cold Weather Clothes for Drug Endangered Children

Do you know of another holiday gift donation drive? Tell us in about it comments.