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Toys for Tots returns for 2023: Here’s what to know
This year’s donation campaign runs from Nov. 27 to Dec. 13.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — The U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys of Tots campaign is back for another holiday season!
KARE 11 is proud to partner with the Marines as we collect toy donations at our studios in Golden Valley.
Below, find out more information about where to donate, what to donate, how to appear on television, and how to receive a toy for your child.
Where can I make a toy donation?
The KARE 11 Toys for Tots tent will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. starting Nov. 27 through Dec. 13. There are also many drop-off locations around town. You can also drop off a new unwrapped toy at Kowalski’s Markets, as well as St. Paul Federal Credit Union locations, and Twin Cities Honda dealers. Click here to find a full list of other drop-off locations.
Can I donate money?
Yes! You can make a monetary donation through KARE 11’s Give 11 page, or using the form below. Give 11 a website that makes it easy to donate whatever you can afford. You can also donate directly to the Marines.
How can my group sign up to make a donation during a KARE 11 newscast?
You can still sign-up for an on-air appearance on KARE 11 using this form. We’re especially looking for organizations or groups who can stop by in the morning for recorded appearances that will air during our noon and 4 p.m. newscasts.
What kind of items can be donated?
The Marines accept monetary donations and new, unwrapped toys. Some examples are games, action figures, dolls, baby toys, puzzles, and non-realistic-looking weapons. They do accept homemade toys but ask that they are safe and free of sharp edges and small items that could be swallowed or otherwise injure the children that receive these donations.
Toys are distributed to kids from 0 – 15 years old. Typically, there is a shortage of toys for infants and teenagers.
Gift cards are accepted but are not distributed as gifts. The Marines take donated gift cards and purchase gifts for the program.
When is the last day you are accepting toys?
The Marines are asking for toys and financial donations to be donated by Dec.17 to allow time for them to be distributed.
How can my child receive a toy?
Families need to contact a distribution agency working with Toys for Tots. For a list of agencies, click here.
Only toy requests by family members with custodial responsibility are normally approved; other requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. The age limit is 15 years old.
A child may only be registered through one charity organization. Multiple registrations by different family members, at different locations, are not allowed.
How do I get a receipt for my donation?
A receipt/combination letter will be provided to the donor that appears on the donation check ONLY. This will be issued sometime in January/February of the following calendar year, by the corporate office in Virginia, NOT by the local office. We are not legally allowed to provide any receipt to anyone.
The above applies if you host a charity fundraiser event and collect donations in the form of checks addressed to Toys for Tots/Marine Toys for Tots Foundation that are turned into the local office(s).
If you have donations made out to a person/company who then processes those donations into a check made payable to Toys for Tots/Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a receipt will be issued to the name on the check only.
How do I become a Toy Distribution Agency?
To become a Distributor (agency) you must complete the form on www.toysfortots.org. Agencies are required to have a 501(c)3 Tax ID number and must be located in counties that are covered (which include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties). Visit www.toysfortots.org for full details and a full list of counties served.
Does the Twin Cities Toys for Tots have a Facebook page?
The Marines’ Twin Cities Toys for Tots page is located here: http://www.facebook.com/t4ttwincities. Please like and share this page.
More information about Twin Cities Toys for Tots program can be found on the local Toys for Tots website.
My group was featured on TV but I missed it, how can I see it?
Check out all of the 2023 Toys of Tots appearances in the YouTube playlist below.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Talking about life-changing events like illness, injury and aging isn’t always pleasant, but avoiding those conversations can make things much harder when they do happen.
A Twin Cities couple is trying to help spur important discussions with a new interactive workbook called “Family Conversations We Must Have But Do Not Want To.” Lisa White, a registered nurse and Michael White, a licensed nursing home administrator and assisted living director, wrote the workbook to steer individuals, seniors, couples and families toward making life decisions so they’re on the same page.
The Whites visited KARE 11 Saturday to talk about the book and the personal story that had them struggling in the search for answers to important questions.
Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to mix up the drinks.
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Those looking for some spooky cocktails to celebrate Halloween should check out Kona Grill in either their Eden Prairie or Minnetonka locations.
Three new festive cocktails are on their menu and Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share the recipes.
The cocktails are available until November 2. One dollar from each cocktail sold will benefit Breast Cancer research organizations.
The Poisoned Apple
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup
- 1 oz Jim Beam Bourbon
- Top off with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
Glassware: 9 oz Bucket Glass
Garnish: Cinnamon Sugar Rim
Prep: Add Blood Orange and Jim Beam to a shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into the glass. Fill with Angry Orchard and stir.
The Black Widow
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz agave
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- Big pinch of black luster dust
- 1.5 oz Patron Silver
Garnish: Half Black Salt Rim
Prep: add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, vigorously shake and strain into a glass.
The Green Intensity
- 0.25 real lychee puree
- 0.5 oz St. Germain
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- Green Luster dust
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire
Garnish: lychee and Luxardo cherry
Prep: add all ingredients into a shake with ice, vigorously shake, and strain into a martini glass
