Ho, Ho, Hope has arrived: 2025 Toy Shop serving 16,000 kids in Twin Cities

Right now, your donations to The Salvation Army are providing toys for children all over the Twin Cities.

The Salvation Army’s Toy Shop distribution is well underway, providing donated toys for about 6,000 preregistered families and an estimated 16,000 children.

The toys are a blessing for local families in need, including a single mother who came to pick out toys for her young son and daughter. The mother is struggling to stay afloat while working full-time and attending college full-time.

Like so many other working families, she earns too much money to qualify for many assistance programs, yet she does not earn enough to pay for added expenses like Christmas presents. She was thankful to everyone who donated toys this year.

“I appreciate The Salvation Army and all they do,” said the mother, who picked out a sketchbook and perfume for her daughter, and toy cars and a Spiderman doll for her son.    

This year’s Toy Shop is being held now through Dec. 23 at The Salvation Army’s new Emergency Disaster Services facility in New Brighton, where more than 600 kindhearted volunteers are busy stocking toy shelves and helping families pick out presents.

Many local businesses contributed to this volunteer effort, including 16 employees from Excelsior-based agricultural company International Feed. The team (pictured) spent four hours volunteering on Friday.  

“We appreciate the chance to be involved,” said company owner and longtime Salvation Army supporter Bernie Kaiser, who also gave a monetary donation on behalf of his company. “We live very fortunate lives, so for us to come and be part of this makes the holiday very special for us.”

Thousands of donated toys were given through KSTP’s Stuff the Sleigh drive, which included toy drop-off locations at our metro area partners: HOM Furniture, Blaze Credit Union, Warners’ Stellian, Minnesota National Guard, and Xfinity Stores by Comcast.

The Salvation Army thanks every donor, volunteer, church, and partner for making this year’s Toy Shop possible. 

“Because of their generosity, thousands of children and families will wake up happy on Christmas morning,” said Lt. Col. Randall Polsley, leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division. “May God bless you all for caring enough to spread joy in our community this Christmas season.”

This Christmas season, support The Salvation Army by giving a donation or ringing bells at a Red Kettle. Your generosity will bring joy to local families in need.