Toys needed for Ages: baby to 18 years
Pittwater Online News has been speaking to Terry Cook, president of the Peninsula Seniors Toy Recyclers, whose 50th Year commences in July 2025.
They have an urgent need for toys to meet demand this coming Christmas - some of these are sent overseas.
Ideally, they want to re-gift a toy in as new a condition as possible, so they are happy to thoroughly clean and repair where necessary.
However, toys that are badly damaged or are a safety risk, will probably end up being disposed of, so please, before you bring toys to them, consider if their condition is good enough to clean and repair and give to your children.
Toys needed include everything that youngsters would love to play with, from fluffy animals, to dolls, to board games, to puzzles, to musical instruments, to sports equipment, to electronic games, to bicycles and to dress up clothes for girls and boys.
‘’We supply toys from ages of a few months up to 18 years.’’ Terry explains.
About the Peninsula Senior Toy Recyclers
The Peninsula Senior Toy Recyclers was established in 1975, originally known as the Warringah Senior Citizens Toy Repairers. The groups' primary goals were to create a beneficial organisation within the community, provide an engaging activity for senior citizens, bring joy to underprivileged children, and contribute to toy recycling efforts, reducing landfill waste.
Over the span of almost 50 years, the group has not only achieved these objectives but surpassed them. Beyond positively impacting local children, their reach now extends to children in various parts of the world. Comprising over 30 dedicated senior retirees, both male and female, they tirelessly devote countless hours each week to ensure that disadvantaged children in impoverished communities have access to toys, books, games, puzzles, and more. They graciously accept no longer needed toys, restoring them to near-new status whenever possible. Their unwavering efforts have resulted in the processing and distribution of thousands of toys over almost 50 years.
Throughout their journey, the group has faced numerous challenges. Without a permanent home, they have operated from garden sheds, demountables, and various buildings. They have endured acts of vandalism and graffiti. In 1998, a devastating fire destroyed their entire stock, which was ready for distribution to children during the Christmas season. Even during the recent pandemic, they managed to adapt and continue operating in a reduced format, adhering to health guidelines.
With the support of the community, local tradespeople, businesses, and contributions from Rotary, the group established their present workshop in Ingleside. Since the fire incident, they have experienced continuous growth and currently serve nearly 80 recipients who benefit from their resources. The group actively supports numerous local and international charities and non-profit organisations. They maintain a substantial stock of toys readily available for immediate dispatch.
However, due to the development at the current site in Ingleside, the Peninsula Toy Recyclers found themselves in need of a more stable and permanent home. In late 2022, they received an invitation from Kimbriki CEO, Peter Davis, to relocate to The HUB at Kimbriki.
In recent years, the dedicated volunteers have started the process of relocating their bustling and extensive operations.
Their impact has reached children in poverty-stricken countries through various agencies. These include organisations in Cambodia, P.N.G, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Toga, Fiji, Samaritans Purse, Network Heaven, Operations Christmas Child, and Operations Food for Life which distribute school resources and provide hundreds of soft toys to children living in poverty, particularly those residing in rubbish dumps around Port Moresby who have never received toys before.
The group has also supported drought-stricken farmers through Rotary and Lions Clubs, as well as contributed to fundraisers for Rotary and provided toys to Aboriginal children in Redfern and Brewarrina.
Additionally, many healthcare professionals have utilised the toys to assist children coping with trauma, anxiety, and stress-related issues.
Millions of toys have been given to charities over the decades the group has been at work.
While the group engages in numerous humanitarian causes that are too many to mention, they remain true to the founding ideals of the organisation.
Toys Needed
Toys include everything that kids would love to play with, from fluffy animals, to dolls, to board games, to puzzles, to musical instruments, to sports equipment, to electronic games, to bicycles and to dress up clothes for girls and boys.
New toys are also welcome if you spot something during your own Christmas shopping that may bring a broad smile to a youngster.
Terry said the age range is from those just a few months old up to 18 years of age.
‘’Not only are we proud that our toys get reused by those who may not be able to afford them, but our work means that items do not end up as land fill.
We also collect parts we cannot reuse such as batteries and metal, and give these to recyclers.’’ Terry, who has been part of the Peninsula Toy Recycler volunteers for 20 years now, explains.
Dropping Off
Please drop off toys to their premises at 169A Mona Vale Road, Ingleside (next to Baha'i Temple entrance), during opening hours, which are 9-12 noon Monday to Wednesday excluding public holidays.
Alternatively you can drop off toys at the "Toy Repair Shed" at Area 4 at Kimbriki Recycling and Recycling Centre, nearby on Kimbriki Road during opening hours.
The Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre’s Toy Repair Shed is located at Household Problem Waste (Drop-off Point 3), during the centre’s opening hours from 7am to 5pm, seven days a week. More in PON's Profile on the Kimbriki HUB
Volunteers in the shed and Support Crew in the Community
At our large Ingleside shed our men and women are involved in the refurbishment of toys that range: from board games to soft toys, from bicycles to dolls, from electronic games to Lego. In fact any toy a child would play with.
Most days we all stop for tea, coffee, biscuits, and home made cakes, and engage in a lot of banter and chat about whatever seems relevant at the time.
Everyone is welcome to volunteer. Come and try your hand - the only skill requirement is enthusiasm
For those interested in learning more about their work and willing to travel to Ingleside, please email Terry – cookt308@gmail.com to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Donations of funding to help meet the insurance costs the group incurs annually are also vey welcome.
And naturally, more hands to help are always going to be welcomed.
‘’Of course, we wouldn't operate if it was not for the magnificent support we get from our army of volunteers, and it is great to see what satisfaction they get out of the great work they do. If you would like to help us out please check out our Volunteers page on our website.’’ Terry, now in his mid-80’s says
’’We are extremely grateful for the enormous support we get from organisations such as Queenwood School, Kimbriki Recycling Centre, Rotary Lions and Northern Beaches Council, as well as grants received from Local, State and Federal Government.
I’d also like to acknowledge the students from local schools – at Mona Vale and Pittwater House - children have not only donated toys, they have also raised funds over the years to help with shipping costs and some of the other expenditure we must meet.’’
’’ What wonderful and kind children, looking out for and after other children whom they may never know, never meet. ’’
‘’We thank all the members of our community who continue to support our efforts in whatever way they can, whether its toys, helping as a volunteer, or turning up with a nice cake for morning tea.
‘’Peninsula Toys helps bring joy to children all over Australia, and indeed the World, by giving new life to toys that are no longer used.
Our refurbished toys are supplied to charities that help families and children, free of charge.’’
Find out more at: peninsulatoys
NB: Terry Cook and the PON Ed. Have discussed putting together a History page to run in June 2025.
