Toys for Tots Charlotte could serve between 5,000 and 6,000 children this holiday season, up from the 4,635 kids who received gifts in 2025.
Sgt. Justin Schmidt, coordinator for Toys for Tots Charlotte, told Spectrum News 1 Charlotte that rising need is driving the increase. The campaign launched Thursday, Oct. 1, and Schmidt said he expects demand to climb well past last year's total.
The organization is especially short on gifts for kids ages 10 to 16.
"It's the hardest age group to get something out to the community," Schmidt said. "We accept all sorts of toys, whether it be from a basketball, board game, book or bicycle."
The shortage is not new. In November 2025, Toys for Tots Charlotte had fewer than 1,000 toys in its warehouse and had to stop accepting applications, WSOC-TV reported. Ahead of the 2026 campaign, the organization posted on its Facebook page that it was "looking at record numbers of families requesting help" and wanted to "avoid declining applicants this year due to inventory levels."
Charlotte nonprofit leaders echoed the urgency at a gathering Tuesday, Oct. 6, where organizations learned how to apply for toy distributions. LaGina McClinton, executive director of Youth Empowerment Services, said the need has grown because of the economy. Quadasha Mcilwaine, founder of Licensed 2 Heal Project, said parents have been reaching out since the start of the year to say they will need assistance.
How Ballantyne residents can help
Toys for Tots accepts new, unwrapped gifts for children from newborns through age 16. All donations must reach a Charlotte drop location by Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Three drop sites serve the 28277 zip code, according to the Toys for Tots Charlotte donation page:
- Capstone Dental, 116011 Lancaster Hwy, Suite D
- Cheswyck At Ballantyne Apartments, 14360 Wynhollow Downs Lane
- Sports Connection, 11611 Ardrey Kell Road
Additional locations may be added as the season progresses. A full, updated list is available at charlotte-nc.toysfortots.org.
Families seeking toy assistance can register through Sunday, Nov. 15. Individual family toy distribution is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12. Volunteer shifts run from Monday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 18, and include sorting, counting and distribution duties.
Residents can reach Toys for Tots Charlotte at [email protected] or 570-350-6100.
Upcoming dates
- Sunday, Nov. 15 — Family registration deadline
- Monday, Nov. 30 – Friday, Dec. 18 — Volunteer shifts
- Friday, Dec. 11 – Saturday, Dec. 12 — Family toy distribution
- Tuesday, Dec. 15 — Donation deadline
