Program Mission & Purpose
The mission of Poppy's Used Toy Program is to provide affordable, safe, and gently used toys to families in our community, promote sustainability by extending the life cycle of toys, and support Poppy's community initiatives.
Toy Acceptance Criteria
To ensure the safety and quality of toys distributed through our program, the following criteria must be strictly adhered to:
Accepted Toys:
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Gently Used Condition: Toys must be clean, fully functional, and in good repair with all original parts (where applicable). Minor cosmetic wear is acceptable.
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Safety Standards: Toys must meet current safety standards (e.g. no sharp edges, no lead paint).
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Completeness: Puzzles, board games, and multi-part toys should have all their pieces.
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Cleanliness: Toys must be free of excessive dirt, grime, mold, or strong odors.
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Battery-Operated Toys: Must be in working order, and preferably include working batteries (or note if batteries are required).
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Types of Toys:
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Plastic toys (e.g., blocks, action figures, play kitchens)
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Wooden toys
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Board games, puzzles, card games
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Dolls and action figures
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Children's books
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Outdoor play items (e.g., small ride-ons, balls – must be thoroughly cleaned)
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Not Accepted Toys:
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Damaged/Broken: Toys with missing parts, significant cracks, sharp edges, or non-functional components.
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Recalled Items: Any toy that has been subject to a safety recall. Staff must periodically check recall lists (e.g., CPSC website).
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Unsanitary Items: Stained, moldy, excessively dirty, or odorous toys.
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Plush/Stuffed Animals: Due to sanitation concerns and difficulty in thorough cleaning, we generally do not accept used plush toys unless explicitly stated otherwise for specific drives and with a clear sanitization plan.
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Infant Items: Car seats, cribs, strollers, and other baby gear with strict safety regulations and expiration dates.
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Weapons/Violent Toys: Realistic toy weapons or toys promoting violence.
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Homemade Toys: Unless their safety can be verified.
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Food-Related Items: Used bottles, pacifiers, or feeding accessories.
Contribution Process
Contributors Guidelines:
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Contributors should be encouraged to pre-sort and pre-clean toys before coming into the store.
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Contributors must be informed of the acceptance criteria (Section 2) and understand that not all donated items may be accepted.
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Contributions will only be accepted: Tuesday - Thursday, 10am - 5pm.
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For ease of processing, we encourage toys to be brought in tote bags which will be returned to you after our timely inspection.
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As a thank you for your generosity, participants of the Poppy's Used Program will receive:
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$5 Poppy's gift card if toys fill a 15"W x 16"H: Standard size tote bag
- $10 Poppy's gift card if toys fill a 15"h x 20"w x 5": Oversized Poppy's tote bag
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