Due to unexpected construction delays, Mothers Helping Mothers will be closed Thursday evening and Friday for donations and client appointments. If you had an appointment scheduled, please check your text messages and email for important updates and rescheduling information.

Toy Day

Sarasota Toy Drive Mothers Helping Mothers

On December 16th, 2026 Mothers Helping Mothers will be handing out toys to bring joy to over 1000 of our children, but we need YOUR HELP!

Toy Donation Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 1st Saturday between 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM.

Deadline: Final day to deliver toys is Monday, December 14th between 9 AM - 11:30 AM.

Full details coming soon!

There are many ways that you can contribute to this year's Toy Day success!

The annual Mothers Helping Mothers (MHM) Holiday Toy Day event on Wednesday, December 16th is fast approaching, and we would appreciate your support this holiday season. Our annual Toy Day provides toys and gifts each year to over 300 families with approximately 1,000 children in Sarasota and Manatee counties who otherwise would go without.

Collect Toys

Place a collection box at your business/organiaz to collect unwrapped toys from now until Dec 14th. Wrapped boxes with flyers attached are available upon request.

Shop Our
Amazon Wish List

Save time and select toys from our Amazon "Wish List" and ship direct to us for the event.

Donate Toys or a Monetary Gift

Bring us a new toy, get donations of toys from your employees, families, or friends or donate a financial gift and we will buy them for you! Flyers available on request.

There's a Story Behind Every Gift

We are deeply grateful for the donors, volunteers, and local businesses who make our Toy Day event possible. Each gift, whether a toy, a collection box, or a few hours of volunteer time, represents a story of kindness and community.

Thanks to your support, our annual Toy Day brings joy to over 1,300 children in need, providing them with a Christmas they might not have had otherwise. Take a moment to see the faces behind the gifts and learn about the people and businesses whose generosity makes this event so special.

Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community—one gift at a time.

Toy Day FAQs

We’ve answered some of the most common questions about our annual Toy Day event.
Have more questions? Send us an email at mhm@mhmsarasota.org

The match is through flanzertrust.org and checks are payable to Gloria and Louis Philanthropic Trust.

Please make payable to: The Louis and Gloria Flanzer Trust

(Be sure to include “Mothers Helping Mothers – TOYS” in the memo)

Mail To: 1266 First Street, Suite 1, Sarasota, FL 34236

Click here to give by Credit Card or you can mail checks payable to Mothers Helping Mothers – 5933 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34243 – PLEASE PUT TOYS IN THE MEMO.

Yes! All Amazon purchases on our wishlists are shipped to secure addresses of MHM staff members. They can be shipped with donor info included if donor selects it, and if so, we will thank them directly, otherwise it is shipped anonymously. These are not eligible for a charitable tax deduction receipt as the money isn’t technically going to MHM.

We just need them unwrapped as parents get to “shop” themselves for their children so they need to see them 🙂 We have “Toy Collection Boxes” if you would like. We have a form we’d like you to fill our on behalf of the group which helps us to keep track of all the drives. Please fill it out here: https://form.jotform.com/252374417393158

Toy Donation Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and 1st Saturday between 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Deadline: Final day to deliver toys is Monday, December 14th between 9 AM – 11:30 AM. 

Please visit this page for information on how to participate in Toy Day!

Together we can bring some joy during these difficult economic times for so many families and their children. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.

We are paused for store donations until Friday, Feb. 27th due to construction.

Vote for Best Local Nonprofit until Wed. 2/4 @ Midnight

Votes can be cast once per day!

*You do NOT need an appointment to request assistance for resources, referrals, or emergencies. Click the Assistance Request link to reach us for those issues.

Quick Rules for Shopping Appointments

You will be able to book your appointment after you’ve scrolled down.

Who Can Be a Client

  • Must live in Sarasota or Manatee County

  • Have custody of children under 18 or be pregnant (must bring proof of children/pregnancy at your first visit only)

  • Pregnant? Shopping for baby items starts 60 days before due date only

  • Bring ID/passport to each appointment

About Your Visit

  • Appointment required (no walk-ins)

  • Shop once every 4 months

  • Only you, spouse, and registered children may shop (no guests)

  • 40 minutes per visit to shop

  • Item limits apply — shop for your family only

  • Free childcare is provided on most days

Baby Items – New Baby Items are only provided 60 days before delivery date!

  • New Clients book an appointment and shop can shop within 60 days of delivery. 

  • Returning Clients – If you’re within 60 days of your due date, and it’s not time to return, you can book an appointment for just ‘Baby Only Items’. If it’s been 4+ months since your last visit, just schedule a regular appointment to shop the whole store plus get your baby items.

  •  The special Baby Only Items appointment won’t affect regular clients scheduled return date.  

Appointments & Cancellations

  • Returning too early? Your appointment will be canceled & you will need to reschedule

  • Times available every 15 minutes – Book only one slot on your desired day

  • Enter name exactly as it is on your ID + correct email/phone

  • No Show Policy: 1 free miss. After that, a missed appointment will be counted as a visit and you won’t be able to return for 4 more months.

  • Click here to cancel or reschedule your existing appointment.  

👇 Click below to book your appointment once you’ve read the full policy.

Text "RESOURCES" to 941-953-7572 to connect with community resources in Sarasota & Manatee counties