Give Joy This Giving Tuesday – Support Cops, Kids & Toys
November 30, 2025

Give Joy This Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to make a difference right here in Tompkins County — and Cops, Kids & Toys needs your help to make the holidays brighter for local children in need.

Cops, Kids & Toys began in the early 1980s when two Ithaca City Police officers were moved to provide holiday toys to a few children and families in need. Today, our volunteers come from every law enforcement agency in Tompkins County, the Tompkins County Probation Department, numerous local businesses, and caring community members just like you.
Each year, families share their children’s wish lists, and our volunteers select toys and gifts to match those requests. Thanks to our generous community, we’re often able to fill those wishes with donated toys — but your cash donations play a critical role, too.

Why your donation matters:

Sometimes, we need to purchase gifts to fill in gaps — whether that’s age-appropriate items for older kids, specific requests, or categories we simply don’t receive enough donations for. Your financial support helps us ensure that every child receives something special.

No donation is too small to put a smile on a child’s face. Even a few dollars can help us buy that one missing toy or book to complete a gift bundle.

And if you’d like to make an even greater impact, consider becoming a monthly donor. A small recurring gift helps us plan ahead and reach more children each holiday season.

This Giving Tuesday, please give what you can — every dollar helps us bring joy, dignity, and hope to families across Tompkins County. 

Thank you for your continued kindness, generosity, and community spirit. Together, we can make this holiday season brighter for every child.
Yes, I'll Donate for Giving Tuesday
Group presents check in bookstore. People smile, posing in front of bookshelf.
March 11, 2026
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Cops, Kids & Toys was proud to present a check to the Family Reading Partnership in support its important work and to assist with some unforeseen expenses as it continues to serve local children and families. Since 1997, Family Reading Partnership has helped Tompkins County families with young children experience the joy of books and read-aloud time as an everyday part of life. Family Reading Partnership provides programs and materials that encourage parents and caregivers to engage with infants and young children through reading, play, songs, and conversation, all as building blocks for literacy. It works to create a culture of literacy in the community by weaving books and reading encouragement into the networks and services that already reach local families. Their programs are designed especially for families with infants and young children in Tompkins County, helping children connect with books early and often. Their impact is rooted in a simple but powerful idea. When children grow up with books as part of everyday life, families are strengthened and young learners are better prepared to thrive. Family Reading Partnership describes its work as creating a culture of literacy, one book, one family, and one community at a time. Organizations like Family Reading Partnership help make Tompkins County a stronger, more connected community for children. We encourage our supporters to learn more about their work and consider making a donation to help them continue serving local families. Contributions can be made here: https://www.familyreading.org/giving/
Raffle for a 5-burner grill and accessories. Drawing March 21. Tickets $30. Donated by Ithaca Home Depot.
February 20, 2026
Only 100 tickets. $20 each. Win a premium 5-burner gas grill donated by Home Depot Ithaca. Drawing 1pm March 21, 2026 at The Shops at Ithaca Mall during the 2026 Walk-A-Thon. Proceeds benefit Cops, Kids & Toys. Winner need not be present to win.