Previous School Giveaways
In the last five years, we've thrown some awesome toy giveaway parties at six different elementary schools across Brooklyn: P.S. 284, P.S. 156, P.S. 137, P.S. 190, P.S. 213, P.S. 59. and P.S.256. We’ve been lucky enough to partner with and have volunteers from: NY National Alumnae Association of Spelman College, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Good Shepherd Services, local high schools, and individual community volunteers. Check out the pictures from our past parties and read to see how much we've grown!
P.S.401
2024 Toy Drive
Our 2024 Christmas Hope Toy Drive reached a new level of joy and connection. This year, we were honored to welcome News 12, who captured the magic firsthand. We proudly created a more inclusive celebration by adjusting sound and activity levels to support students with varying sensory needs so every child felt seen, supported, and celebrated.
With more volunteers than ever before, the energy in the building was unmatched. Students bounced, posed, and laughed the day away, from our crowd favorite bounce house to the photo booth, where smiles and silly moments stole the show. And of course, each child chose their special toy, making the day unforgettable.
See the joy for yourself in our 2024 recap video. The smiles say it all.
P.S 256
2023 Toy Drive
Our 2023 drive brought the fun to new heights! Students danced, played, colored, and ran with unmatched joy – and that was before they even got their special toys. College volunteers matched the kids' excitement, creating an electric atmosphere. The highlight? Our bike giveaway, where six deserving students received new bikes, their faces lighting up with priceless smiles. Christmas Hope's Toy Factory was buzzing with energy, proving once again that when our community comes together, magic happens!
P.S. 213
2022 Toy Drive
Our latest drive was a return to business as usual, and it was a blast! Kid favorites like the hot chocolate bar, lip gloss station, and arts and crafts table were back in action. The music was pumping, and Christmas Hope's Toy Factory turned into a dance floor. Plus, our 2022 Drive had more community volunteers than ever, showing us the magic that happens when we all come together.
P.S.137 & P.S. 190
2021 Toy Drive
Our 2021 drive was all about making a comeback with a bang! We were excited and a bit nervous serving two schools with full in-person giveaways. The challenge? Keeping everyone—students and volunteers—healthy and safe. Armed with masks, hand sanitizer, and a bit more elbow room than usual, we managed to bring the holiday party vibes our organization is known for to the students.
P.S. 59
2020 Toy Drive
The Covid-19 Pandemic had a significant impact on our 2020 Drive. While we understood that hosting our usual large-scale holiday party wasn't feasible, we were also mindful of the pandemic's heightened effect on some of our most vulnerable populations. As a response, we directed our attention towards a specific group of students—those facing food and housing insecurity—and ensured every item on their holiday wishlist was taken care of. While 2020 was smaller in scale it did not lack in impact and we are happy to have lightened the load for families during what was already a challenging year.
P.S. 156
2019 Toy Drive
Our 2019 Drive is close to our hearts because it took us back to where our founder, Nkenge Walcott, went to school. Going full circle and giving back to the community that shaped her was a big dream when she started Christmas Hope. Serving P.S.156 came with a twist—it's a big school! With over 500 students from Pre-K to 5th Grade, we needed more toys than ever. But guess what? We not only hit our goal, we surpassed it, collecting over 800 toys!
Our First School Giveaway
P.S. 284
2018
In 2018, our School Giveaway was a game-changer! After a four year partnership with Brookdale Hospital we took the party to a local elementary school for the first time. Doubling our toy collection goal was a challenge, but shifting our setup to the school? Best. Move. Ever. It gave us total creative freedom to turn the place into the Christmas Hope Toy Factory, and bonus – no parents allowed meant the kids ruled the party scene!