Toy Chest

ResourceWest's Toy Chest provides provides new gifts to over 1,200 children of low income families living in Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood, and Woodland. Families receive one large item, two smaller items, and stocking stuffers for each child.

Parents continue to struggle with ever increasing housing, energy, transportation, and food costs. In turn, family budgets are stretched thin, so parents might have less money available for gifts for the holidays.

Registration:    December 6-9, 2011
Distribution:     December 19-23, 2011

To qualify for this program, you must:

• Be a resident of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood, or Woodland
• Have an income that qualifies your family for the Free or Reduced School Lunch Program. To see if you qualify, please contact our office
• Have physical custody of the children
• Your children must be under the age of 17 (all 17 year old must be registered in High School).

You must bring the following to your appointment:

• Current utility bill (within 30 days for proof of residency)
• ID for yourself
• ID for your children (school ID, medical insurance cards, Social Security card)

The Story of Toy Chest
Once upon a time...... a very special bear arrived during Toy Chest time at ResourceWest.  Something about this bear caught everyone's eye, and he was carefully placed in a chair at ResourceWest.  Soon it became clear..... this was a bear with a story to be told.

Years ago there was a family, with small children and a commitment to those in need.  Each holiday season, the children in this family shopped for toys they really wanted, and then donated those toys to the local toy drive.  Soon the children asked, "Why doesn't Mom shop for a toy to donate?  Mom loved Teddy Bears, so each season she chose a bear to be given away.  Now she knew how her children felt - giving away something she really loved.

Years later, after the kids were grown, Mom heard about the Toy Chest Drive at ResourceWest. She knew what she had to do - shop for a bear to love - and then donate it to the Toy Chest program.  A shopping trip to the store, and this special bear just fell off the shelf and into her arms.  "I need a home," said the bear.  It was truly a bear to love!
....And so began the annual Toy Chest Drive at ResourceWest!