Latest News

8 / 5 / 2010
Still going...

6 / 8 / 2010
Outstanding Supporters!

2 / 5 / 2010
Great 2009!

12 / 28 / 2009
It's TOY TIME!

12 / 13 / 2009
It's almost TOY TIME!

11 / 24 / 2009
Status Update!

9 / 8 / 2009
Huge Donation!

8 / 28 / 2009
Message from Nancy.

6 / 21 / 2009
Huge Photo Update! We've added over 300 pictures to our Photobucket gallery!

4 / 29 / 2009
Important Update!  Click Here to read more.

2 / 24 / 2009
2009 Efforts Begin Our 2009 efforts are underway... Read More

1 / 17 / 2009
Outstanding 2008 Our 2008 efforts are wrapping up now...  Read More

12 / 21 / 2008
Toys Are Going Out! and photos are going up! Check back for more details!

11 / 15 / 2008
Photo Gallery Update! We've added lots of new photos of the kids!

10 / 22 / 2008
Christmas is fast approaching! We're on our way to another record year!

8 / 13 / 2008
Large Bag Donation!!! We've received a big box of bags for the kids! read more.

6 / 15 / 2008
Biggest Cash Donation to date... read more.

5 / 13 / 2008
Children's Day... & Other activities detailed on the news page.

4 / 1 / 2008
Visit to La Casita Orphanage... to read more click here.


 
 


Bring on the Toys & Supplies!

 
 

TOYS

The items we are looking for are just the same as kids anywhere would love with a few exceptions; Toys that depend heavily on batteries or require electricity to operate are not ideal for the children that we distribute to. We also have a difficult time distributing items that require heavy understanding of languages other than Spanish.

We do ask that everything is new, no second hand items please. We also ask that the toys be unwrapped so they can be sorted and given to a suitable child.

While we will gladly accept any and all donations, based on our experience over the last several years, we have found that the following items seem to be favorites of the kids; Dominos, HotWheels or MatchBox Cars, Stuffed Animals, Dolls, (small baby dolls are very expensive here), Fisher Price and Playskool Baby toys, Wooden Puzzles, Toy Trucks, Coloring Books, Fine Motor Toys, Crayola Coloring Sets, Barbie, Polly Pocket, Anything Disney, Soccer Balls,  Playdoh Sets, Mr. Potato Head, Etch a Sketch, Magna Doodle, Sand Toy Sets, Jenga, Marbles, Yahtzee, Trouble, Nerf Guns, Musical Baby Toys, Colorforms, and Baby Blankets.

For the older kids, items such as; Beauty Supplies, Cosmetic Cases, Inexpensive Jewelry, Purses, Wallets, Clothing, Watches, Belts, Perfumes, and Sports Items work well.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

School supplies, such as; backpacks, backpacks, and more backpacks, calculators, markers, English/Spanish dictionaries, binders, notepads, lunchboxes, pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils, chalk, erasers, rulers, & anything else that would be appropriate for school aged children is great!

We are also requesting books written in Spanish to help build the library at a small rural school in Nuevo Valladolid that we donate to.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR NAME GOES IN EVERY PACKAGE SO THAT WE CAN THANK YOU ON OUR LIST OF SUPPORTERS!

For those who are traveling here with their donations, one of our supporters has written a donation letter to be presented to the Mexican customs agents should the need arise. Download it here.

Personal Delivery in Cancun

Our Hotel Zone toy drop is the Hard Rock Cafe, located in Plaza "Forum by the sea". Right in the middle of Cancun's Party Center. Just look for the giant guitar out front and you'll know you are in the right place! Seņor Xavier Migueiz will has arranged for a collection box for all the toys to be collected.

You may also leave donations at one of our drop off locations in downtown Cancun. 

Needful Things Bookstore   Ave. Coba #67 Local #2, across from the Chrysler Dealership, on the way to Wal-mart via the R-2, R-15, or     R-103 buses. Approx 1 and a half blocks before the "Market 28" stop. HOURS M-F 9AM to 8PM, Sat. 10AM to 2PM, Closed Sundays (local phone: 998 884-2697)

Clinica American Smile, near Market 28, down "Calle Nance" (street) on the right #17 Calle Nance is across from the "Oxxo" convenience store in Market 28 (local phone: 998 887-4521)

                                                                                          Personal Delivery in Playa del Carmen

Clinica Veterinario de Playa del Carmen, Calle 45 (45th Street) Speak with Dr. Claudia Lewy. Phone 984-873-1108. Her Clinic is 1 block East of the Highway on the right hand corner, near the junction of Avenida Juarez. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9-6 and Saturday 9-2.

The Blue Pearl Suites 1st Avenue North #331
Between 10th and 12th Streets. They will have the drop off box set up in the reception office. Drop off hours are between 11AM & 6PM Monday thru Friday, 9AM & 2PM Saturdays.

Personal Delivery in Puerto Morelos

Visitors to Puerto Morelos may drop off their donations at David Lau's Chinese Food and Pizza right in the main square.

Personal Delivery in Tulum

Our Tulum area drop off is The EcoTulum Resorts and Spa, which includes Cabaņas Copal, Azulik, and Zahra in Carr.

Their continued support has allowed visitors staying well South of Cancun to contribute to the Give a Toy Get A Smile cause.        Please visit the EcoTulum Give a Toy Get a Smile page.

Financial Donation via Paypal

If you are not visiting Cancun soon you can still help by making a donation via Paypal. Please note, you do not need to have a Paypal acount, any credit or debit card will be OK. Any amount is fine, whether it be $5, $10 or $100. This money will be pooled together and the organizers will buy items on your behalf.

If you prefer not to use Paypal you can also mail us a check, please see this message board post for details.

All donations will be personally delivered and all financial donations will be spent by the organizers on the purchase of gifts for the children. There will be no cash passed on to ensure that the aims of the project are met. All funds may be periodically audited by an independent 3rd party.

Get the Word Out

Let everyone know about Give a Toy, Get a Smile. The more publicity the better! With your help we can make the lives of these children a little bit brighter and brings smiles to their faces.....

We've made some simple flyers that you may print out and display to inform others about Give a Toy Get a Smile. Download them below.

English Flyer "A"  or  English Flyer "B"  or  The Spanish Flyer