Toy Express
Delivering Free Toys To First Responder Families & Agencies Nationwide
The First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Toy Express delivers more than 250,000 free holiday toys to first responder agencies and hospitals which then distribute the holiday cheer to children of first responders and to children in first responder communities. This is the Foundation’s way of saying “happy holidays” and “thank you” to the heroic first responders who show up when we dial 9-1-1.
Sponsors who make Toy Express possible include CSX, TQL / Total Quality Logistics and their Moves that Matter program, I Run 4 Movement, Hess Toy Truck, SERVPRO, SB Projects, Toys for Tots, Wilbert Funeral Services, Good360, Jazwares, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mattel, The Toy Foundation, Melisa & Doug, and Sound Off Signal.
First Responders Children’s Foundation established the Toy Express with a generous toy donation from Mattel and American Girl including Mattel products such as Hot Wheels®, Barbie® and Mega Bloks®.
Generous individuals across the nation help bring holiday cheer to first responder families by making donations and contributing toys. Transportation of toys and masks across the country is coordinated and provided by Total Quality Logistics (TQL) and their Moves that Matter program.
Toy Express helps create a happy holiday for the children of first responders which includes nurses, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics, medical personnel, and 911 dispatchers.
First responders are on the frontlines of the pandemic, and they continue to risk their own health every day in selfless service to their local communities across the country. So, please help us help them. You can join us and send toys by clicking the red button below or by texting TOY to 24365.
Instructions for partners
What is the Agency Grant Application Process?
First Responders Children’s Foundation’s Toy Express will deliver more than 250,000 free toys and masks to first responder agencies and hospitals which will then distribute the holiday cheer to children of first responders and to children in first responder communities. Every child will also receive a mask with their toy.
First Responders Children’s Foundation established the Toy Express with a generous toy donation from Mattel and American Girl and other Mattel products such as Hot Wheels®, Barbie® and Mega Bloks®. Additional sponsors include CSX, Good360, Hess Toy Truck, Jakks Pacific, MaskUSA.com, and Toys for Tots. In addition, generous individuals across the nation are helping bring holiday cheer to first responder families by making donations of toys and money. Transportation of toys and masks across the country is coordinated and provided by Total Quality Logistics (TQL) and their Moves that Matter program.
To make this program a success, please read the following information and communicate with our team throughout the duration of your holiday toy program. Your active participation in the First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express is essential to the success of the program. It also helps us share the impact that you are making in your community with our donors and partners including Mattel, American Girl, Jakks Toys, CSX, Good360, Hess Toy Truck, Jakks Pacific, MaskUSA.com, Toys for Tots, Total Quality Logistics (TQL) and their Moves that Matter program.
Register Receipt
E-mail us and confirm the following:
- The name of your agency or company.
- Shipment has been received.
- Evidence of careful planning to address community needs and access community resources.
Capture Your Toy Story
It’s been a tough year, but what better way to celebrate the holidays than to share the smiles of children and first responders from coast to coast through pictures, videos and news stories!
We cannot tell this Toy Story without your help! We need you to summon your inner Steven Spielberg and document the magic of First Responders Children’s Foundation Toy Express. Using your cell phone camera is fine!
Please take videos/photos of the following:
- Toys arriving at your facility (beginning).
- Toys being prepared by your team for distribution (middle).
- Event day with lots of happy children, parents and your team (end).
- The Toy Express label and sponsor labels that are on pallets and included with the instructions. We want to recognize and thank our sponsors and donors for allowing Toy Express to happen from beginning to end.
All instructions and release forms can be accessed on our Toy Express online toolbox. Attached is a document that describes how to best capture a precious moment with video. A copy of a photo/ video release form is also attached.
Click the link below or scan the QR code to record your story. Post the QR Code at your event and encourage participants to share their story.
You can also send us the pictures and videos and we will post it for you.
Share Your Story
Follow First Responders Children’s Foundation and tag @1stRCF on all social media posts related to your holiday toy drive and use hashtags #FRCFToyExpress #FirstRespondersStrong.
How to Take a Video
- When shooting videos with your cell phone, please use LANDSCAPE (horizontal) mode.
- Also, before you film, please go into your settings and set your phone on the highest resolution possible, ideally 1080 x 30 fps or 4k @ 30 fps.
- We prefer close ups with a few people in them to catch the emotion rather than group shots where people are standing stiff and still.
- Long lineups of people standing shot at a distance might capture everyone at the event, but they do not tell a story, and it is often hard to see everyone. So, if you can, please move in closer, encourage everyone to relax and smile and have fun! Our goal is to capture expressions of surprise and delight.
- The feeling we want to bring to life is one of joy and fun!
Everyone in the video must sign a release form. If the individual is not 18, it must be signed by their parent or legal guardian.
Communications & Press Outreach
- Include information on Toy Express and about First Responders Children’s Foundation when communicating about the program.
Media Hits
- Fox 17 | Norton Shores first responders hit the slopes, engage with community | January 06, 2022
- 13 On Your Side | Norton Shores law enforcement surprises sledding families at Lake Harbor Park | January 06, 2022
- News19 | National organization plays Santa to families of Fairfield County first responders | December 23, 2021
- The Lancaster News | Business Briefcase | December 22, 2021
- WKRC-CIN | CPD holds “Get the Groceries” Event | December 21, 2021
- WLWT News 5 | Police invite families to “Get the groceries” | December 21, 2021
- WLWT News 5 | Making a difference – CPD takes local children grocery shopping | December 21, 2021
- Local 12 News | “Get the Groceries” | December 21, 2021
- CBS | First Responders giving back | December 21, 2021
- Local 12 | Cincinnati Police Department shops with kids in annual Get the Groceries event | December 21, 2021
- WLWT5 | Cincinnati officer forms special bond with 5-year-old and her OTR family | December 21, 2021
- FOX 19 Now | Cincinnati police partner with children at ‘Get the Groceries’ event | December 21, 2021
- CBS Cincinnati | CPD Officers with the help of children for a $100 mini shopping spree | December 21, 2021
- Times News Network | 7-Year-Old Jefferson Pesantez Joins NYPD’s Operation Sleigh Ride As Honorary Member | December 20, 2021
- Times News Express | 7-Year-Old Jefferson Pesantez Joins NYPD’s Operation Sleigh Ride As Honorary Member | December 20, 2021
- WLNY News | NYPD Operation Sleigh Ride with the help of 7 years old | December 20, 2021
- ABC7 | NYPD Heroes big and small Event held for children battling Cancer | December 20, 2021
- NY1| Cop who beat cancer leads holiday gift giving event | December 20, 2021
- Chicago Tribune | Foundation helps Merrillville Police with first toy giveaway: department had about 500 toys to pass out | December 20, 2021
- CBS New York | 7-Year-Old Jefferson Pesantez Joins NYPD’s Operation Sleigh Ride As Honorary Member | December 20, 2021
- AM New York | Operation sleigh ride: NYPD delivers gifts throughout NYC | December 20, 2021
- Newsy | Toys for Families of First Responders | December 20, 2021
- PIX11 | NYPD hosts Christmas event for kids with cancer | December 20, 2021
- NY1 | Thousands of Toys Given Away in Honor Of Fallen EMT | December 19, 2021
- Daily Times | Community Briefs: Prospect Park police partners with First Responders Children’s Foundation to supply toys for Interboro families | December 19, 2021
- AM New York | An NYPD highway patrol officer helps deliver holiday cheer in Central Park to children battling cancer | December 19, 2021
- Pix11 | NYPD Spreads Cheer on Annual “Holiday Sleigh Ride” | December 19, 2021
- WGN-AM Radio | The Giving Spirit continues in Englewood | December 18, 2021
- Daily News | Christmas spirit abounds at annual Bronx toy giveaway honoring slain FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo | December 18, 2021
- NY1 | Off-Broadway league toy drive with the help of Toy Express | December 18, 2021
- News12 Brooklyn | First responders come together to give back in memory of Yadira Arroyo | December 18, 2021
- News12 Long Island | NYPD officers hand out gifts across NYC during annual Holiday Sleigh Ride | December 18, 2021
- WGN9 | Kidz Korna Distributes hundreds of gifts in Englewood | December 17, 2021
- Daily Times | Prospect Park police partners with First Responders Children’s Foundation to supply toys for Interboro families | December 17, 2021
- Fox5 TV | Good Day New York – Hero of the day | December 16, 2021
- 16 News | Children of first responders receive Christmas gifts | December 16, 2021
- ABC 15 News | State, local law enforcement bring holiday cheer to city of Mullins | December 16, 2021
- Leader Publications | First Responders Children’s Foundation, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office partner to deliver toys to the Boys and Girls Club | December 16, 2021
- MoodyMarket | Sheriff Bailey and Boys & Girls Club Team Up for ‘Toy Express’ Program | December 15, 2021
- 94.9 WSJW | Sheriff’s Department Giving Out Toys In Benton Harbor Thursday | December 15, 2021
- 97.5 Y Country | Sheriff’s Department Giving Out Toys In Benton Harbor Thursday | December 15, 2021
- Chicago Tribune | Police, foundation host toy event Sunday in Merrillville | December 15, 2021
- News13 | Christmas comes early in Darlington County; first responders hand out more than 1,500 toys | December 13, 2021
- Eminetra | Christmas comes early in Darlington County, first responders hand out more than 1,500 toys – Florence, South Carolina | December 13, 2021
- HudsonValley360 | Sheriff’s Deputies hold annual toy drive | December 12, 2021
- Fox 47 | Nonprofit announces Toy Express program benefiting families of first responders | December 10, 2021
- Fox 17 | First Responders deliver toys to patients at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital | December 06, 2021
- Hoopeston Chronicle | First Responders Children’s Foundation plans ‘Toy Express’ event in Rossville Dec. 4 | November 30, 2021
- WITL | This Lansing Children’s Foundation Is Giving Away 500 Toys, Here is The Scoop | November 30, 2021
- Fox 47 News | Lansing police and fire departments host toy giveaway | November 29, 2021
- 97.9 XFM | Wonderland in Lights Walk Thru on Wednesday | November 19, 2021
2021 Toy Collection Events
- December 1 to 25 – New York, NY – First Responders Children’s Foundation Headquarters, 38 East 32nd Street, #602
- December 1 to 25 – South Haven, MI – First Responders Children’s Foundation Warehouse, 1310 Kalamazoo Street
- *December 4 to 14 – Memphis, TN – Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street
- *December 8 to 18 – Davenport, IA – The RiverCenter, Adler Theatre, 136 East 3rd Street
- December 8 to 25 – Bristol, VA – Bristol Fire Department & Bristol Police Department, 501 Scott Street
- December 8 to 25 – Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Apple Store, 441 Chestnut Ridge Road
- *December 9 – Memphis, TN – Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street – Meet Santa’s Merry Messenger & Elf Helper between 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
- December 10 – Miami, FL – Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, 6801 Collins Avenue
- December 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Friends of Firefighters Holiday Bazaar – 11 am – 3 pm, 199 Van Brunt Street
* These events are in partnership with the touring Broadway show, “Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical,” and when you drop off a toy you receive a free children’s ticket to the show!
2021 Toy Distribution Events
- November 22 – Columbia, SC – South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services’ “Sharing is Caring”
- November 23 – Marseilles, IL – Marseilles Police Department, “Shop with a Cop”
- November 27 – Jamestown, IN – Jamestown Police Department, “Christmas Tree Lighting”
- November 27 – Rochester, NY – Town of Gates Police, “Gates Town Hall Tree Lighting”
- December 1 – Fort Lee, NJ – Fort Lee Police Department, ”PBA Local 245 Toy Drive”
- December 4 – Blue Island, IL – Blue Island Police Department, “Blue Island Light Parade”
- December 4 – Rossville, IL – Rossville Police Department, “Christmas Parade”
- December 4 – Manlius, NY – Town of Manlius Police Department, “Shop with a Cop” Unit/Kops ‘n Kids’ “Shop with a Cop”
- December 4 – Coward, SC – Coward Police Department, “Christmas in the Park”
- December 4 – Waverly, TN – Waverly Police Department, “Wheaties’ Kids”
- December 6 – Avon, IN – Avon Police Department, “Toys for Toddlers”
- December 6 – Lawrence, NY – Hatzalah / Far Rockaway – Nassau County, “Hatzalah Chanukah Party”
- December 8 – Grandville, MI – Grandville Police Department, “Project Night Lights”
- December 8 – Brownsville, TX – Valley Regional Medical Center, “Employee Holiday Luncheon”
- December 9 – North Port, FL – Lamarque Elementary, “Lamarque Cares Holiday Event”
- December 9 – Dade City, FL – Dade City Police Department, “Blue Christmas/Shop with a Cop”
- December 10 – South Bend, IN – Indiana State Police
- December 10 – Zeeland, MI – Shields of Hope, “Heroes Holidays”
- December 10 – Hackensack, NJ – Hackensack Fire Department
- December 10 – Manville, NJ – Manville Police Department, “Manville PBA 236 Toy Drive”
- December 10 – Florence, SC – Florence Police Department, “George Mack”
- December 10 – Hartsville, SC – CSX Police
- December 10 – Hemingway, SC – Hemingway Police Department, “Holiday Hope”
- December 10 – Weber City, VA – Weber City Police Department, “Weber City Toy Giveaway”
- December 11 – Dade City, FL – Dade City Police Department, “Blue Christmas / Shop with a Cop”
- December 11 – Beecher, IL – Beecher Police Department, “Holiday with Heroes”
- December 11 – East Chicago, IN – East Chicago Police Department, “East Chicago Police Department Toy Express”
- December 11 – Longmeadow, MA – Longmeadow Police Department, “Toys for Tots”
- December 11 – Pittsfield, MA – Pittsfield Police Department
- December 11 – Benton Harbor, MI – Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, “Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Give-Back to the Community and Children”
- December 11 – Twin Lake, MI – Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office
- December 11 – Berlin, NJ – Berlin EMS, “Toy Drive”
- December 11 – Hackensack, NJ – Hackensack PBA Local 9
- December 11 – Lake Hopatcong, NJ – Jefferson Township Police Department, “PBA Christmas Party – Operation Blue Elf”
- December 11 – Delmar, NY – Bethlehem Police Department, “Community Holiday Celebration”
- December 11 – Latham, NY – New York State Police, Troop G, “1stRCF Toy Express”
- December 11 – Society Hill, SC – Society Hill Police Department
- December 12 – Saugerties, NY – Saugerties Police Department, “Saugerties Toy Express”
- December 12 – Darlington, SC – 1621 Harry Byrd Highway, 2 pm to 4 pm featuring Santa Claus, Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, “Darlington First Responders Toy Giveaway”
- December 12 – Hartsville, SC – Hartsville Police Department, “Toy Give Away”
- December 12 – Lamar, SC – Lamar Police Department, “Darlington County Toy Drive”
- December 12 – Spring, TX – SERVPRO of The Woodlands/Conroe, “Tykes Need Bikes and Toy Drive”
- December 12 – Clintwood, VA – Clintwood Police Department, “First Responder Toy Giveaway”
- December 13 – Momence, IL – Momence Police Department
- December 13 – Millersville, PA – Lancaster EMS, “First Responder Families First!”
- December 14 – Merrillville, IN – Merrillville Police Department, “Toy Drive”
- December 14 – Lansing, MI – Lansing Police Department – Community Service Unit, “LPD/LFD Community Toy Drive”
- December 14 – Fayetteville, NC – Fayetteville Police Foundation, “Operation Yuletide”
- December 14 – Irmo, SC – Irmo Police Department
- December 14 – White Sulphur Springs, WV – The Greenbrier, “Greenbrier Dream Tree for Kids”
- December 15 – Decatur, MI – Village of Decatur Police Department, “Christmas Toy Giveaway”
- December 15 – Paramus, NJ – Paramus Police Department, “Toy Drive”
- December 15 – Fultonville, NY – Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, TBD
- December 15 – Hudson, NY – Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, “Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive”
- December 15 – Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, “All Aboard Christmas”
- December 15 – Vidalia, LA – Vidalia Police Department, “Shop with a Cop”
- December 15 – San Antonio, TX – Franklin Insurance Group, “San Antonio Police Blue Santa”
- December 16 – Wilmington, NC – Wilmington Police Department, “WPD Toy Distribution Event”
- December 16 – North Tonawanda, NY – North Tonawanda Police Department, “Boxes of Hope”
- December 16 – Florence, SC – South Carolina State Transport Police Community Outreach
- December 16 – Mullins, SC – Mullins Police Department
- December 17 – Nashville, NC – Nashville Police Department, “Christmas with a Cop”
- December 17 – Hershey, PA – Penn State Health – Life Lion EMS, “Life Lion Holiday–Little Paws Up”
- December 17 – Warwick, RI – Warwick Police Department, “Fill the Freight Toy Drive”
- December 17 – Hartsville, SC – Hartsville Fire Department, “Boots and Bucket Toys”
- December 17 – North Richland Hills, TX – Bennett Agency
- December 17 – Charleston, WV – Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, “Cops and Kids”
- December 17 – Gloucester, MA – Gloucester Police Department Community Impact Unit/Kops ‘n Kids’ “Shop with a Cop”
- December 17 – New York, NY – “NYPD Sleigh Ride”
- December 18 – Bronx, NY – FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo Playground, 1954 Watson Avenue, Noon to 2 pm – In collaboration with FDNY, FDNY Hispanic Society, Local 2507, & Bronx Community Board 9
- December 18 – Bedford, TX – 3717 Commerce Place, 10 am to 1 pm – In collaboration with SERVPRO
- December 18 – Gallatin, TN – Behind the Sumner Regional Medical Center, 10 am to Noon – In collaboration with SERVPRO
- December 18 – Waverly, TN – Fire Hall, 103 East Main Street, 4 pm to 6 pm featuring Santa Claus – In collaboration with SERVPRO
- December 18 – Orange Park, FL – Orange Park Police Department and Orange Park Fire Department, “Toy Giveaway”
- December 18 – Barnegat, NJ – Barnegat Township Police Department, “Breakfast with Santa”
- December 18 – Bergenfield, NJ – Bergenfield Police Department
- December 18 – Jersey City, NJ – Jersey City Fire Department, “Jersey City Fire Department Toy Drive”
- December 18 – Coxsackie, NY – Greene County Deputies Association, “Christmas with the GCDA”
- December 18 – East Syracuse, NY – DeWitt Police Department
- December 18 – Kingston, NY – Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, “First Responder Community Outreach”
- December 18 – New City, NY – Clarkstown Police Department
- December 18 – Phoenix, NY – Village of Phoenix Police Department
- December 18 – Syracuse, NY – Onondaga Sheriff’s Office, “Heroes & Helpers”
- December 18 – Tonawanda, NY – City of Tonawanda Police, “Christmas for Kids”
- December 18 – West Haverstraw, NY – Haverstraw Town Police Department, “Haverstraw PAL/PBA Holiday Toy Giveaway”
- December 18 – Wolcott, NY – Village of Wolcott Police Department, “Wolcott Police Department Christmas Event”
- December 18 – Ontario, OH – Ontario Police Department, “Ontario Police and Springfield TWP Toy Drive”
- December 18 – Essington, PA – Tinicum Township Police Department, “A Day with Santa”
- December 18 – Marcus Hook, PA – Marcus Hook Borough Police Department, “Lunch with Santa/Toy Express”
- December 18 – West Newton, PA – West Newton Borough, “A Day of Joy”
- December 18 – Darlington, SC – Darlington Police Department, “Christmas Surprise”
- December 18 – Sellers, SC – Sellers Police Department, “Sellers Toy Express”
- December 18 – Mansfield, TX – Tarrant County Constable Precinct #7 with Bryan Woodard
- December 18 – Gate City, VA – Scott County Sheriff’s Office, “Kids Christmas”
- December 18 – New York, NY – “NYPD Sleigh Ride”
- December 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Friends of Firefighters
- December 19 – North Port, FL – Lamarque Elementary, “Lamarque Cares Holiday Event”
- December 19 – Brownstown, IL – Brownstown Fire Department, “Brownstown Children Christmas”
- December 19 – Clermont, IN – Clermont Police Department, “Spreading Joy”
- December 19 – Crestline, OH – Crestline Police Department, “Crestline First Responders Toy Drive”
- December 19 – Yeadon, PA – Yeadon Borough Energy Management/Fire Marshal, “Santa Run”
- December 19 – New York, NY – “NYPD Sleigh Ride”
- December 20 – Ridgefield, NJ – Ridgefield Fire Department, Company 2, 588 Bergen Boulevard, 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
- December 20 – DeWitt, MI – DeWitt Township Police Department’s “Toy Express”
- December 20 – Maywood, NJ – Maywood Girl Scout Troop #95485, “Maywood Girl Scouts Miracle Christmas Express”
- December 20 – North Baltimore, OH – North Baltimore EMS
- December 20 – North Baltimore, OH – North Baltimore Fire Department
- December 21 – Ottawa, IL – Ottawa Police Department, “Ottawa PB&PA Christmas”
- December 21 – Willard, OH – Willard Police Department, “Toy Giveaway”
- December 22 – Tampa, FL – Tampa Police Department, “Christmas with a Cop,” 4 pm – 7 pm, Recreation Center
- December 22 – Walbridge, OH – Walbridge Police Department, “Santa Comes to Walbridge”
- December 22 – Sumter, SC – Sumter Fire Department, “Sumter Fire Department Christmas Xpress”
- December 22 – Winnsboro, SC – Fairfield County EMS, “Frontline Family Holiday Celebration”
- December 22 – Clifton Forge, VA – Clifton Forge Police Department
- December 23 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Police Department
- December 23 – Bogota, NJ – Bogota Police Department, “Christmas in Bogota”
- December 23 – Toledo, OH – Toledo Police Department, “12 Kids of Christmas”
- December 23 – Spartanburg, SC – Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Department, “Feel the Magic”
- December 24 – Stratford, NJ – Stratford Fire Department, “Operation Santa”
- January 6, 2022 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – First Responders, Inc.
