Portland Toy & Joy Makers is a local toy drive founded by Portland Fire & Rescue in 1914, helping out local families in need around Christmas time. We are completely run by volunteers.
NON-PROFIT APPLICATION FORM FOR FOX 12 LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS TOY DRIVE
[click here].
It all started in 1914 when Firefighter Eddie Boatright fixed a broken wagon and gave it to a neighborhood kid.
[more...] The idea caught on and by 1924 the City's Firefighters decided to organize in the effort to supply toys to the area's needy children at Christmas. By 1926 that effort was officially recognized as "Toy and Joy Makers" with the motto "Every child deserves a Christmas". As a totally volunteer effort the program has changed over the years from different Engine houses repairing different types of toys (bikes at one station, dolls at another and so on) to the collecting or purchase and distribution of toys to over 12,000 children.
That equates to 3,000 families on average a year and over the last 10 years the disbursement is over 500,000 toys. Toy and Joy "Shoppers" give each child age and gender appropriate toys plus a few fill-in stocking stuffer items. The Portland Fire's Toy and Joy Makers have turned the job of "Santa's Helper" into quite a creation. Throughout the year they assist the Bureau by giving gifts to children that have been victims of fires, accidents and other natural or man made disasters. The program has been recognized by "Readers Digest" and the White House for its work and has served as a model for over 1,700 like programs nation wide. As an all volunteer program it would be impossible without its many helpers who work tersely year after year. In 2020 over 6,100 volunteer hours were given to the community by retired firefighters, Local 43 members and people from the community at large. [...less]
Our Mission
"Toy
& Joy Makers" mission for over 100 years has been to promote the spirit of
helping children and their families in our community during the holiday season. When called upon, we are also able to help families throughout the year. This mission manifests itself by providing qualified families in need with appropriate gifts for their children. These efforts bring joy to both givers and receivers during the season and throughout the year.
"Toy
& Joy Makers" celebrates 110 years and counting of helping children.
Toy Request Line: Online only in 2025.
Online Toy Request Form: For families within the Portland city limits. The form has English and Spanish versions. For 2025, the form will become available in early November.
Toy & Joy Makers is a toy-giving program for not only the November - December Holiday Season, but also for the other 10 months. In CY 2023, we gave out 67,000 toys during the Holiday Season and 24,000 toys during the rest of the year. For details about our services (toys, children, families, volunteers), see our
Impact page.
