Portland Fire & Rescue’s (PF&R) Toy N Joy Makers was founded in 1914 to help provide Portland’s low income families with toys, books, and other gifts during the winter holiday season. The Toy & Joy Maker’s program is the largest in Oregon and has a history of working alongside local and state agencies. 2020 is truly the year of need and Toy and Joy Makers is already seeing increased requests for toys and other gifts. 

How Can You Help?

Donate Toys: Throughout the year, when you are out shopping for your own children, pick out one extra present to leave with the Toy & Joy Makers. Please drop new, unwrapped toys off at any of the 30 PF&R fire stations located in Portland, Oregon.

Donate Money: Cash donations are vital to the program as proceeds are used to purchase toys and books at a wholesale level. Toy & Joy Makers is a charitable (501(c)(3)) organization (Federal Tax I.D. 93-6096777), so donations are tax deductible. Fully 98% of donations go directly into providing toys for children; less than two percent goes to overhead. Donations can be made any time during the year online at http://www.toynjoymakers.org/ or send your donation by mail to Toy & Joy Makers at 5916 NE Going Street, Portland, Oregon 97218. You can also make monthly donations through our website or set up donations to coincide with your paychecks in your online bill pay.

Volunteer During the Winter Season: Volunteers assist each day taking toy request phone calls from parents, inputting requests into the computer, restocking shelves, and putting orders together for pick up. These volunteers give an estimated 4,250 total hours of their time along with 950 hours provided by PF&R fire station crews. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Toy & Joy Makers at info@toynjoymakers.org or at (503) 823-0922 during normal business hours.

The City of Portland’s Veterans Empowerment Team is proud to host another year of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The Toys for Tots program helps less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of the holidays, playing an active role in the development of one our nation’s most valuable resources: our children. Last year, the Toys for Tots program collected over 37,000 toys in Portland, supporting over 31,000 children in our community—all toys are collected and distributed locally.