Today" is pleased to announce the 11th annual Holiday Toy Drive will kick off Monday, November 29 and run through Friday, December 24. The “Today” show toy drive is a project of the Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent the law allows.
Last holiday season, “Today” viewers, Web site visitors and corporate contributors teamed up to make the holidays brighter for 750,000 children in child and family service organizations all over the United States. Fifteen million dollars worth of toys, books, clothing, electronics, music CDs, toiletry essentials and cash were donated from our generous partners in our annual effort.
The unique drive, which provides gifts for children and teenagers across the country, who might not otherwise receive any, will be featured every day on both “Today” and “Weekend Today.” Many surprises are in store for audience members who bring a gift to donate. Last season, celebrities including Magic Johnson, Boy George, Jimmy Smits, Jessica Alba, Martin Sheen, Susan Lucci, Alex Rodriguez, Donald Trump, Reba McEntire, Colin Firth, Jesse L. Martin, Harvey Fierstein, John Spencer, Kevin Bacon, Ruben Studdard, Ashanti, Michelle Williams and many others stopped by to greet the crowd outside Studio 1A and collect gifts for the toy drive.
Major donations from corporations will begin to appear on the show beginning November 22. The folks at Rockefeller Plaza are also encouraged to bring a gift for a child up to age 18 and donate it live, on camera, during the celebrity collection at 8:30 a.m. ET beginning November 29 and every day after that until Christmas Eve morning.
Donate online:
You can also donate online by visiting: www.
We hope you join us in celebrating the season and helping children all over the United States for our 11th annual toy drive. If you are a company interested in making a donation, please contact Sam Sagenkahn by e-mail at: sam.sagenkahn@nbc.com.
The recipientsGifts go to more than 220 children's service organizations serving more than 750,000 children nationwide, from Florida to Alaska. The organizations include: homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, schools, after school programs, daycare programs, children's hospitals, developmentally disabled preschools, youth centers, native American reservations, victims services, career training programs, foster group homes and other organizations that help families in need.