NORTHEAST PA – No parent should have to choose between paying bills and putting presents under the tree.

Across the Poconos, dozens of organizations are working to ensure children in low-income families wake up to gifts on Christmas morning. From the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program to local church drives and nonprofit collaborations, free toys are available in every county—but you need to know where to look and when to sign up.

Here’s your complete guide to Christmas toy assistance in Monroe, Lackawanna, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon counties.

Quick Reference

• Monroe: Salvation Army East Stroudsburg (570-421-3050) | PVEN West End (570-992-3136)
• Lackawanna: Salvation Army Scranton (570-343-9181) | Friends of the Poor (570-340-6086)
• Pike: Milford Borough Office (570-296-7140)
• Wayne: Children’s Christmas Bureau (wcccb.org)
• Wayne/Pike: Zipper Junction (ZipperJunction.org)
• Carbon: Salem Bible Fellowship Church, Lehighton (in-person only)

Monroe County

Monroe County runs one of the most successful Toys for Tots programs in the entire country. John Dickson, known locally as “The Toy Man,” has coordinated the effort for 20 years and was recently honored as the nation’s top Toys for Tots coordinator.

Monroe County Toys for Tots

The program partners with two main distribution sites:

• East Stroudsburg Salvation Army – Serves Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Delaware Water Gap, Stroud Township, and Smithfield Township
• Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network (PVEN) – Serves the West End: Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Ross, and Polk townships

East Stroudsburg Salvation Army

• Address: 226 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg
• Phone: 570-421-3050
• Eligibility: Children birth to 12 years old
• Requirements: Photo ID, proof of address (lease or utility bill), proof of income, birth certificates for all children
• Note: Registration typically opens in fall. Call for current year dates.

The Salvation Army’s toy distribution has helped more than 2,200 Monroe County children in recent years. Parents can select toys organized by age group for boys and girls.

Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network (PVEN)

• Address: 2334 Route 209, Sciota, PA 18354
• Phone: 570-992-3136
• Eligibility: Low-income families in the six West End townships
• Requirements: Photo ID required to register AND pick up toys

PVEN partners with local churches, businesses, and Toys for Tots to serve children from newborn to age 17. In 2023, the program helped a record 170 children. Families must call ahead for an appointment—walk-ins are not accepted, and missed appointments may not be rescheduled.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff’s Office partners with Toys for Tots and accepts applications through their website. Visit monroecountypa.gov/departments/sheriff/resources/toys-for-tots for the online application.

Lackawanna County

Lackawanna County benefits from a powerful collaboration between four nonprofits that together serve approximately 5,000 children each Christmas.

Gifts for Kids Collaborative

Four organizations—Friends of the Poor, Catholic Social Services, the Catherine McAuley Center, and the Salvation Army—work together to prevent duplication and maximize the number of families served.

• Goal: Every child receives at least two toys
• Distribution: Typically held at Byron Recreation Complex or University of Scranton in mid-December
• Registration: Opens in early October. Watch the Facebook pages of participating organizations for the registration link.

Salvation Army Scranton Corps

• Address: 500 North Washington Avenue, Scranton
• Phone: 570-343-9181
• Angel Tree Program: Serves families with children newborn to 12 years old
• What’s included: Two toys plus a clothing outfit per child
• Note: Registration typically occurs in early October. Call ahead for exact dates.

The Scranton Salvation Army serves approximately 300 families annually. The biggest need is clothing—organizers say they receive plenty of toy donations but often run short on outfits.

Friends of the Poor

• Address: 240 East Elm Street, Scranton
• Phone: 570-340-6086
• Services: Christmas toys, food baskets, clothing

Friends of the Poor operates 12 food pantries across Lackawanna County and collaborates on the annual Christmas toy distribution. The organization works with Catholic Social Services to provide over 5,000 gifts per year.

Pike County

Pike County families have two main options for Christmas toy assistance, plus a regional program that serves both Pike and Wayne counties.

Pike County Sheriff’s Office – Stuff the Cruiser

• Beneficiary: Toys for Kids Tri-State Program
• Drop-off events held at local locations in November/December
• Follow Pike County Sheriff’s Office on social media for event dates

Milford Marines Gung Ho Detachment 909

• Drop-off location: Milford Borough Office, 500 Broad Street, Milford
• Phone: 570-296-7140
• Deadline: Typically early December (check with borough office)
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

New, unwrapped toys can be placed in the collection box at the Borough Office.

Zipper Junction Holiday Toy Drive (Serves Pike AND Wayne Counties)

• Website: ZipperJunction.org
• Application deadline: October 31, 2025 (online only)
• Distribution: Early December

Now in its ninth year, the Zipper Junction Holiday Toy Drive partners with Wayne County Ford and Bold Gold Media. The program collaborates with local school districts to identify families in need. Toy requests must be submitted online—no phone applications accepted.

Wayne County

Wayne County families have access to a long-running local program plus the regional Zipper Junction drive.

Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau – “Community at Heart”

• Sign-up location: Chamber of Commerce Building, 32 Commercial Street, Honesdale
• Website: wcccb.org
• Phone: Check website for current contact info

The Christmas Bureau has served Wayne County families for decades. Sign-ups are held in October at the Chamber of Commerce Building—check the website for specific dates and times. Families receive a pickup date and time, with distribution typically held at the Park Street Complex in Honesdale in early December.

Families, individuals, and groups can also “adopt a family” to purchase gifts directly.

Zipper Junction Holiday Toy Drive

• Website: ZipperJunction.org
• Serves: Wayne AND Pike County residents
• Application deadline: October 31 (online only)
• Toy drop-off sites: Listed on website; collection runs through early December

Monetary donations, sponsorships, and toy drop-off site partnerships are also welcome through the website.

Carbon County

Carbon County is served by the Schuylkill/Carbon Marine Corps League Toys for Tots program, plus several church-based initiatives.

Schuylkill/Carbon Toys for Tots

• Registration location: Salem Bible Fellowship Church, 1105 Frederick’s Grove Road, Lehighton
• Registration dates: Typically late November/early December (check locally for 2025 dates)
• Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on registration days
• Distribution: Saturday following registration week, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Requirements:

• Must register in person (no phone registrations)
• Letter from church, proof of public assistance, OR proof of unemployment
• Parent/legal guardian must register (bring photo ID with Carbon County address)
• Birth certificates for all children

The program serves Carbon County residents and Tamaqua residents who did not register with the Schuylkill County Salvation Army.

Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church – Free Stocking Stuffers

• Address: 500 Church Drive, Palmerton
• Date: December 14, 2025
• What’s included: Toys, personal items, snacks, crafts (two of each item per child, ages 2–10), plus a dozen holiday cookies for parents
• Bonus: Free gift wrapping (up to 5 gifts), chance to win a Christmas ham or turkey

LaRose’s Skating Rink Toy Drive

• Address: 2800 Interchange Road (Route 209), Lehighton
• When: During open skate sessions
• Incentive: Donate a toy, get a free slice of pizza and soda

Tips for Getting Help

Start early. Most programs require registration in October or early November. By December, sign-ups have closed.

Gather documents. Most programs require:

• Photo ID for parent/guardian
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease)
• Proof of income or public assistance
• Birth certificates for children

Pick one program. Nonprofits coordinate to prevent duplication. If you register with one organization, you typically cannot receive toys from another. Choose the program that best serves your area.

Call ahead. Dates, requirements, and distribution methods change yearly. Always call or check websites for current information before showing up.

Every child deserves a Christmas. If you need help, don’t be too proud to ask—these programs exist because the community wants to support families going through hard times.