TENNESSEE, USA — Tis' the season of giving back, and WBIR wants your help to spread some cheer this holiday season!
WBIR, in partnership with Walmart and the FBI Knoxville Citizens Academy Alumni Association, will host a week-long "Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive." Toys donated from this toy drive will benefit children and families impacted by Hurricane Helene in Cocke, Greene, and Unicoi Counties.
From Friday, Nov. 8 to Friday, Nov. 15, bins will be in 11 East Tennessee Walmart locations for toy donations.
The toy drive focused on toys and activities suitable for children from preschool to eighth grade.
Note: All residents were affected in some way. Families in these counties are welcome to visit the designated school in their county regardless of the type of loss individuals may have experienced.
Where to Donate
Each store will have two "Hope of the Holidays Toy Drive" bins where you can leave donations. The bins will be placed at the entrances of the stores listed below:
- 1030 Hunters Crossing, Alcoa TN
- 373 S. Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge TN
- 6777 Clinton Highway, Knoxville TN
- 7550 Norris Freeway, Knoxville TN
- 7420 Chapman Highway, Knoxville TN
- 8445 Walbrook Drive, Knoxville TN
- 10900 Parkside Drive, Knoxville TN
- 2410 US Highway 411 South, Maryville TN
- 1075 Cosby Highway, Newport TN
- 3755 East Andrew Johnson Highway, Greenville TN
- 3051 Kinzel Way, Knoxville TN
Eligible Toy Donations
The following list offers toy suggestions, but all new toys are welcome. Please keep the cost of donated toys around $25.
Home for the Holidays Toy Drive
Any age
- Glow-in-the-dark basketball and basketball goal, football, soccer ball, pickleball set, baseball glove and ball, scoop ball, skates and scooters, silicone water balloons, kites, water guns, wobble bubble balls
- Classic children’s books such as: "Little Blue Truck," "Babysitter’s Club," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "Divergent" series, "I Spy" books, Dr. Seuss books, "Magic Tree House" series
- Craft sets: Art Case and coloring pages, Paint by Number Art Set, LCD Writing Board, and modeling clay
- Boardgames: Twister, Monopoly, Phase 10, Uno, Pokemon Card Game, Clue, Skip-bo, Pictionary, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game, Brainbolt Boost
- Lego Sets, Magna tiles, and Jelly Blox
- Snuggie, Squishmallows
- STEM Based activities: Crystal growing kit, snap circuits, terrarium kits, marble runs, rockets, science kits and slime kits
- Fidget toys
Pre-k to 2nd grade
- Hot Wheels sets, Matchbox sets, monster trucks
- Play-doh sets, Kinetic sand
- Fort building sets, bubble machines, number blocks
- Littlest Pet Shop, dolls, Disney toys, Scribble Scrubbie Pets
- V-tech and Leapfrog Electronic Learning Games, Lite-Brite, walkie-talkies, Tonies
- Ninja Turtle toys, LOL Surprise/ Rainbow High dolls, Super Mario toys, Marvel and Spiderman sets, Bluey toys, Paw Patrol toys and Trolls toys
3-5th
- Hatchimals, Furbies, Tomagotchi or digital pets
- Easy bake oven, Digital pet/ Fingerlings, Hex bots, Dog-E, Drawing projector, Lab Mutators, Binoculars, Slushie maker, and Cotton Candy Maker
- Barbies: Mermaid Dolls with sea animals, Polly Pocket, Chelsea Barbie Doll Playset, Barbie Pop Reveal and Barbie Cutie Reveal, Barbie Careers, Monster High Dolls
- Remote control cars
- Beybaldes, Nerf sets, Finger skateboards
- Pokemon toys, Minecraft toys, Marvel toys
6-8th
- Minecraft, Fortnight, Harry Potter, and Star Wars toys
- Video games for Nintendo Switch or Playstation
- Outdoor activities: Giant Jenga or Yard Yahtzee, Frisbee golf discs, lawn darts, badminton set, telescope
- Games like: Tabletop Hockey Game, Scattegories, Exploding Kittens, What Do You Meme, Taboo, Hues and Cues, Codenames, Oh My Pigeons, activity books
- Electronics: Camera, headphones or earbuds, Amazon Alexa, portable phone charger, Bluetooth karaoke microphone, custom neon sign, moon lamp or color changing light, waterproof shower speaker, Rocketbook, Mini movie projector
- Blanket hoodie, Tik-tok cookbook, chia pets, temporary tattoo body markers, gel nail kit, inflatable lounger, make-up kit, flat iron and hairdryer