CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The 36th Annual Toy Lift will take place on Friday, December 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Fashion Square Mall. The event collects toys for children in Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, and Nelson, aiming to assist nearly 4,000 children this holiday season.

The initiative features several drop-off locations, including Flow Automotive, Alakazam Toys, Shenanigans Toy Store, Timberwood Grill, Timberwood Taphouse, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Pro Re Nata, Carter Myers Automotive, and Bricks & Minifigs. Toy Lift Charities accepts toy donations, monetary contributions through PayPal and Venmo, and purchases made via an Amazon Wish List for direct delivery.

The program’s selection process relies on school counselors and social workers to identify families in need, focusing on those who may not qualify for traditional financial assistance but face significant challenges.

Toy Lift Charities, which started in 1989, operates entirely through volunteer efforts. Founder Tom Powell began the initiative by collecting toys from a bucket truck at his gas station, gathering more than 1,000 toys in its first year. Since then, the program has expanded to serve thousands of local families annually.

For more information or to contribute, Toy Lift Charities | It Only Takes One!