Your Local Giving Guide

🎁 The Giving Guide: Local Toy Drives & Businesses That Give Back

There are countless ways to give back this season, and our community shows up in the most beautiful ways. Here are just a few local toy drives and give-back businesses in and around Los Gatos where you can spread holiday cheer and support those in need.

Toy Drives Near You

Ronald McDonald House Charities Bay Area, Comfort & Joy Holiday Toy Drive

What: New, unwrapped toys
Where:
📍 Christie's International Real Estate Sereno, 214 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Los Gatos, CA 95030
When: 9am-5pm, M-F, throughout the holiday season.  
Info:   https://rmhcbayarea.org

The City Peace Project – Warm Clothing & Toy Drive

What: Warm clothing and new toys for local families and youth in need (K-12 sizes XS–3XL)
Where:
📍 Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Ave, San Jose, CA 95116
When: December 20, 2025, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Info: thecitypeaceproject.org
Items Needed: Jackets, gloves, socks, beanies, scarves, pants, and new toys. Every donation helps ensure no child faces the winter unprepared.

Palo Alto Community Services Holiday Toy Drive

What: New toys, books, and gift cards
Where:
📍 Lucie Stern Community Center
📍 Mitchell Park Community Center
📍 Select libraries & fire stations
When: November 1 – December 14, 2025
Info: https://www.paloalto.gov/Events-Directory/Community-Services/Holiday-Toy-Drive

Joey’s Toy Drive

What: New, unwrapped toys
Where: Various business & school partners (see website)
When: Holiday season — open now
Info: https://joeystoydrive.org/donate

Family Giving Tree – Holiday Wish Drive (Los Gatos)

What: New toys + gifts
Drop-off:
📍 Pizza My Heart, 9 N Santa Cruz Ave
When: Through early December
(Check website for final 2025 date)
Info: https://familygivingtree.org/gift-drop-off#LosGatos

Santa Clara County Fire Department Holiday Toy Drive

What: New, unwrapped toys
Where: Any SCCFD station (including Los Gatos & Saratoga)
When: November 24, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Info: https://www.sccfd.org/toydrive/

Toys for Tots — San Jose Chapter

What: New toys
Where:
📍 510 N First St, Suite 210, San Jose
Plus additional drop sites online
When: Holiday season
(Some sites open weekdays 9 a.m.–4 p.m.)
Info: https://san-jose-ca.toysfortots.org/

Local Businesses That Give Back

The Butter Paddle (Los Gatos)

📍 33 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Volunteer-run gift shop — all proceeds support Pacific Clinics for at-risk children and families.
🔗 https://butterpaddle.com/pages/about-us

Echo Shop (Saratoga)

📍 14554 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
Volunteer-run resale shop — 100% of profits support local children and adults in need.
🔗 https://echoshop.org/about-us/

Happy Dragon Thrift Shop (Los Gatos)

📍 245 W Main St, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Non-profit thrift shop — proceeds support Uplift Family Services and vital youth programs.
🔗 https://www.happydragonthriftshop.org/

Discovery Shop (American Cancer Society)

📍 Multiple Bay Area locations
Upscale resale shop — proceeds fund cancer research and patient support.
🔗 https://www.cancer.org/donate/discovery-shops-national.html

Ethos (Los Altos & Capitola)

📍 300 State St, Los Altos, CA 94022
Refill & low-waste shop — promoting sustainable, community-focused living.
🔗 https://www.ethossantacruz.com/service/about/

The Giving Pies (Campbell)

📍 1875 S Bascom Ave Suite 165, Campbell, CA 95008
A local bakery creating delicious handcrafted pies — and known for donating to families in need, schools, and nonprofits throughout the Bay Area. A sweet way to support a business that truly gives back.
🔗 https://www.thegivingpies.com/about

✨ Let’s Make Spirits Bright

Whether you donate a toy, shop at a store that gives back, or simply spread kindness, every act helps bring joy to our community. Thank you for helping make this season so special, your generosity truly shines.