Community Corner

Toys Delivered to Newark Homeless Kids

Charity has delivered more than 100,000 playthings since 2006

A company and a nonprofit teamed up this week to deliver truckloads of toys to the children of a city homeless shelter.

On Tuesday, officials from Second Chance Toys, a non-profit that rescues and  recycles gently used plastic toys,  joined with officials of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, a full service trash removal company, to make the special toy delivery to children at New Community Harmony House, a transitional living facility located at 278 South Orange Ave.

“We are thrilled to be able to donate hundreds of gently loved plastic toys to New Community Harmony House so that all of the children they serve are assured a toy for the holidays,” said Bronna Lipton of Second Chance Toys. “Most of the toys were collected by students at Evergreen School in Scotch Plains who experienced firsthand the meaning of giving.”

Second Chance Toys made its very first toy donation in Newark seven years ago and this year the group topped its 100,000th toy here in Newark.

Drew Trautman, franchise owner for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? said this is by far one of the highlights on his calendar.

“Reusing and recycling is a major part of our day-to-day at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.Over the last six years, it has felt especially rewarding to have our trucks full of reusable toys on their way to deserving children. We hope our donors enjoy their reclaimed storage space as much as the kids love their toys,” said Trautman, a New Jersey-based 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise partner.

Diane Young, Administrator of New Community Harmony House, which has the capacity to house 102 homeless families, thanked Second Chance Toys and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for their generosity.

“We cannot thank Second Chance Toys and 1-800-GOT-JUNK enough for this toy donation,” said Young. “This will ensure that children from all of our families have some new toys to play with on Christmas morning.”


Second Chance Toys was founded in 2006 by a New Jersey high school student to recycle gently used plastic toys for children in need.  To date, more than 110,000 donated toys have helped keep our landfills free of these non-biodegradable plastics while bringing smiles and laughter to many children.

This award-winning 501c3 non-profit has been recognized for the waste-need solution it provides to communities throughout the United States and Australia. For more information on donations and sponsorship go to www.SecondChanceToys.org.


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