PARTNERS and drop off locations
How the Blue Sleigh Toy Run Works
Annually, local toy collection programs are conducted in partnership with the Empty Tomb Church and Two Thieves Motorcycle Ministry for the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive. One individual, either a member of Empty Tomb Church, Two Thieves Motorcycle Ministry or a volunteer member of a local community organization, is designated as the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive Coordinator for that community. The Coordinator is responsible for assisting in planning, organizing and conducting the toy collection programs in his/her community. Coordinators are responsible for establishing close working relationships with schools, churches, other local community organizations, and social welfare agencies which are well qualified to identify the needy children in the community. Coordinators play important roles in the collection and distribution of the toys.
Local toy collection programs begin in November and generally last until the Wednesday, one week before Christmas. Toy distribution can then take place a full week before Christmas.
Members of the community drop off new, unwrapped, toys in collection boxes positioned in local schools, churches, and businesses. Coordinators pick up these toys and store them in a central storeroom where the toys are sorted by age and gender. At Christmas, Coordinators, with the assistance of local school groups, church groups, other local community organizations, and social welfare agencies, distribute the toys to the less fortunate children of the community in the form of a Toy Run. While the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive Coordinators organize, coordinate and manage the toy collection and distribution programs, the ultimate success depends on the support of the local community and the generosity of the people who donate toys.
Local business and school leaders play key roles. They allow Blue Sleigh Toy Drive Coordinators to locate drop- off/collection boxes in their facilities; provide free warehouse space for storing and sorting toys during November and December; providing vehicles to collect toys from drop-off sites; sponsor toy raising events; and help Blue Sleigh Toy Drive Coordinators arrange media exposure for the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive in the local community.
Organizations can support the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive by establishing local toy drives, making donations to the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive or conduct marketing initiatives from which they share royalties with the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive. In almost every instance, the marketing initiatives of these corporations give significant added visibility and name recognition to Blue Sleigh Toy Drive. Such visibility enhances the campaign at all levels. The funds emanating from these affiliations enable the Blue Sleigh Toy Drive to purchase toys to supplement local collections; purchase promotion and support materials and defray the costs of annual Blue Sleigh Toy Drive toy collection programs.
