The school system has a longstanding tradition of helping economically challenged families fulfill their children’s toy wishes for the holidays. In the past, this has been done through the CARE (Children at Risk in Education) program. Anticipating a significant increase in this year’s needs due to the pandemic, a new streamlined process has replaced this segment of CARE.

Qualified families can now request assistance directly from Southside Toys for Tots. School counselors will refer families to Southside Toys for Tots instead of families submitting a form to the counselors as in previous years.

Families can make toy requests by filling out an online application on the Southside Toys for Tots website, https://southside.toysfortots.org. Click on the “Request a Toy” tab and put “Southside Student Support” and the name of the student’s school in the notes section so that the request can be properly sourced.

Approved families will be able to pick up toys December 9 and 10. Additional details on location and times will be shared with approved recipient families closer to the pickup dates.

Online applications will be screened across all Toys for Tots distribution organizations to ensure no duplication applications; duplicate applications will be denied and not considered.

Questions about the program can be emailed to [email protected].