Chester / Central Montco Family Applicants

This page is designed to offer information for people who may be seeking assistance from Toys for Tots for their family. 

It is important to understand that this is relevant for the Chester / Central Montgomery PA campaigns  only. Each Toys for Tots campaign is run independently, and have their own processes and procedures. Just like our campaign cannot be expected to offer something another campaign does that we cannot, applicants outside our area should not expect their local campaign to work this way. Your local campaign is solely responsible for the processing of your application and the conditions they choose to set. 

Important information that you need to know in order to  apply to our campaign:

The goal of Toys for Tots is to offer gifts to children who might otherwise receive nothing. Gifts donated by our community tend to be in the $10 -$20 range. Please keep this in mind when adding in specific requests for your children. No video games, clothing, gift cards, or items such as bikes will be offered. If you are seeking something other than what Toys for Tots can offer, please apply for assistance through a different organization - we can only offer what we receive. 

• Some email providers such as Yahoo seem to send toysfortots.org emails to spam. It is recommended you apply from a different email provider. No matter what provider you use, if you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of submitting your application, we do not have it, and you must reenter it. If it is in your spam folder, flag the message are Not Spam so you see the follow up messages you will need to respond to

  • You *must* have access to an email account to apply directly to our campaign. Important information will be sent at several times during the process, including information on your distribution appointment. If you do not check your email, you will not receive the information on where to pick up gifts

• Our Toys for Tots campaign cannot deliver gifts. Applicants who cannot travel to a distribution location should seek alternative means of support. We cannot offer a service to some but not all of our applicants. Please do not apply and then request a drop off. We will not be able to honor the request.

• Toys for Tots will have a different "warehouse" location every year - we are loaned space from different donors every year - and that location may not be convenient to your location. We will attempt to set up "satellite" distributions in major areas of need - Norristown, Coatesville, Kennett Square - during our distribution weekend. Because those locations are not at our warehouse, we cannot offer a reschedule if something occurs that prevents you from making it to your appointment on time. If you sign up for a satellite distribution, the gifts will have already have been transported to a local partner, and will no longer be controlled by Toys for Tots. 

Q: When can I request assistance?

A: Toys for Tots kicks off on October 1st of each year. For our campaign, the application window is from Oct 1st to Nov 14th. Applications received after Nov 14th will be added to a waiting list, but we cannot guarantee our ability to offer assistance

Q: How do I apply?

A: Please select the site appropriate to your county to enter an application:

Chester County: Go to http://chester-county-pa.toysfortots.org/  select "Request a Toy", then "Family Application"

Montgomery County: Go to https://montgomery-county-pa.toysfortots.org/  select "Request a Toy", then "Family Application". Please view the map on the site to ensure you are applying to the correct campaign. 

Applications outside our coverage area will be disapproved.

It is the applicant's responsibility

• Use an email address they have ready access to

• Verify their application was submitted

Applicants will be sent an email confirmation message. They can also verify by using the Application Checker tool, here: https://www.toysfortots.org/check-status-of-toy-application/

Q: When and where will I be able to pick up my gifts?

A: Pending applicants will be sent a link to a survey where they will be able to select the date and location they would prefer to pick up their gifts. This will be sent out in November, no later than Saturday, Nov 15th. Applicants that do not make a selection prior to Dec 1st will have their applications cancelled. It will be important to check your email to ensure this does not happen. Most distribution will be the weekend of Dec 20 / 21 in 2025. Gifts are pre-packed based on the application by volunteers. You must keep an eye on your email to receive support from Toys for Tots

Q: Why was my application disapproved?

A: Family applications are usually disapproved for one of five reasons:

1.  Applicant did not fill out the survey to pick a distribution appointment

2. Applicant does not live within our coverage area. Applicants will be given the website for the appropriate Toys for Tots campaign, if one exists where they live

3.  Applicant is already receiving support from Toys for Tots through one of our community partners. A family can receive support from Toys for Tots directly, or through an Agency, but not both. All application information will be shared with our agency partners for the purpose of checking for duplicates. If you are not comfortable with that, please do not apply

4.  Applicant did not respond to requests for information sent via email. Applicants that do not respond to Toys for Tots or who are unable to demonstrate custody of the children on their application will be disapproved.

5.  Applicant has been banned from the program. Bans do not expire. You will need to seek assistance elsewhere. We will not reply to requests for reconsideration. Threats will be forwarded to law enforcement if appropriate

Bans are usually do to one of the following reasons:

5. • Selling donated items. 

   • Hostility to Toys for Tots volunteers during the application or distribution process, or at any other point in the campaign. There is zero tolerance for hostility or threats towards our volunteers

   • Repeatedly applying for children the applicant does not have a custodial relationship with

   • Multiple instances of applying for but not picking up gifts. We will excuse one "no pick up no contact", with a warning the following year. A second instance will result in the applicant being banned. Do not apply for gifts if you are unable to pick them up. 

   • Applying to Toys for Tots from a false address to appear to be in our coverage area, or any other falsehoods on the application

   • Applying to Toys for Tots multiple times and attempting to conceal it