Christmas is on its way, and that means everyone trying to be nice and listening to Bob Dylan’s phlegmy version of “O Come All Ye Faithful” and thinking about the brotherhood of humakind and of course, presents. Some kids aren’t as fortunate as others though, and rather than just treating them as the collateral damage of capitalism left to fend for themselves, you can help make sure they have a decent Christmas by donating some toys to a toy drive. And because sometimes you want an immediate reward for your philanthropy, the Big Brooklyn Holiday Toy Drive will gladly give you things, useful things, in exchange for giving them a toy this holiday season.
The toy drive is running from today through December 16, with toy drop-off locations in DUMBO (Brooklyn Roasting Company, 25 Jay St.; Front Street Pizza, 80 Front St.; Juliana’s, 19 Old Fulton St.), Park Slope (Animal Kind Veterinary Hospital, 365 7th Ave.), Greenpoint (Dandelion Wine, 153 Franklin St. and Flying Squirrel, 87 Oak St.), Williamsburg (The Yard, 33 Nassau Ave, Second Floor; Rough Trade, 64 N 9th St.; STREB 51 N 1st St.; Assemblyman Joeseph Lentol’s Office, 619 Lorimer St.) and Bushwick (Roberta’s, 261 Moore Street). They’re all waiting for you to swing by and drop off a new, unwrapped toy, which they’ll then give to children and make them happy.
Like we said though, you can get some stuff in exchange for your good deeds. On December 3 at the DUMBO tree lighting at the DUMBO Archway, you’ll be able to get a free ticket for the East River Ferry in exchange for your toy. You can also get a free ferry ticket for later use (and a treat from Ovenly) if you show up at any ferry launch with a toy on December 10. Maybe save those tickets for when it’s nice out next year. Or if you’re more into wine, precious wine, you can get 10% off the purchase of any bottle at Dandelion Wine if you bring a toy to donate on December 7. And while there’s no specific offer at Roberta’s, maybe if you bring a toy, one of their famous hot waiters or waitresses will see and think you’re kindhearted and go on a date with you.
And as there always is, there’ll be a big party at the end of the toy drive on December 16. This year’s party is at Biba (110 Kent Ave., Williamsburg), and your $25 ticket ($35 day of) which benefits the organizations that toy drive is working with will get you access to an open bar and free food. Bringing a toy on that night will get you free raffle tickets for raffle prizes from NYC-based organizations. So remember, do some good, because you can get some stuff in return (and if you don’t, Krampus will come for you).