10 Places to Donate This Season

The holiday season is a perfect time for giving to those less fortunate. Check out these 10 local places where you can help bring a little cheer to those in need...

Toys for Tots Official Drop Off Locations: Every year Toys For Tots collects new unopened toys to give to children in need to give out at Christmas time for those who are less fortunate. These local businesses are official Toys for Tots drop off locations:

• Toys R' Us & Babies R' Us (all locations): 5801 Sunrise Highway, Holbrook
• Hyundai 112 2112 Route 112, Medford

JC Penny Adopt an Angel Program: JC Penny partners with the Salvation Army each year to allow people in the community to adopt a local child who is in need of clothing, outerwear, footwear and toys during the holiday season. You can go to a local store to donate or you can go to JC Penny's website and choose an angel to adopt. JC Penny at the Smith Haven Mall: 3147 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove

John Thiessen's 19th Annual Toy Drive Dec. 18, 7 p.m.: The toy drive will take place at The Full Martini located at 174 Route 111 in Islip. Attendees are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to the event. The bands Unsuspected, Love N' War and Running on Empty will be performing that evening.

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York: 2450 North Wading River Road, Wading River. Every year Little Flower provides a Christmas Wish List for children and teenagers in need. This year there is an exceptional need for teenagers and young adults that will be entering college soon. Some gift suggestions this year include laptops, iPods, video games and CD's. 

Toys of Hope: This foundation based in Huntington has a variety of programs individuals can participate in to help with families in need on Long Island. Their programs include Poor Paws, which provides assistance to families who care afford food or routine health care for their pets. A dental program which provides children and their families with products needed for proper dental hygiene. Two programs Toys of Hope which benefits entire families is their Out for a Day program which sends families on outings to sports games, Broadway shows, local amusement parks and more and their Adopt a Family program.

Teachers Federal Credit Union: 2410 North Ocean Avenue, Farmingville. TFCU is sponsoring a company wide coat drive Saturday, December 18 at all of their locations. Individuals who have new or gently used coats of all sizes can bring the coat to any one of their branches.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island: If you have clothing or other items you would like to donate, Big Brothers Big Sister has donation bins all over Long Island where you drop off items. Some local drop off locations can be found at:

• Holtsville Ecology Center, Buckley Road, Holtsville
• Savers of Holbrook, 7001 Sunrise Highway, Holbrook
• Capital One Bank, 131 Portion Road, Ronkonkoma