Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

There’s a great toy distribution project called Play It Forward Pittsburgh. For the past ten years, they have distributed gently used toys to neighbors in need during this reason. Hundreds of volunteers sort, clean, and pack the toys for distribution out of the Convention Center (DLCC.) Play It Foward Pgh is a super queer friendly organization.

This year, they’ve had to eliminate the “shopping” experience and prepack boxes with requested items. Based on capacity due to COVID-19, they can serve 400 families. All slots are full.

You can help. You can invite your children to sort through their toys and select items to ‘play forward’ to other children. You can pass along toys and games from your now-grown children to help other children. You can donate supplies. You can donate cash.

What better year than 2020 to help your children focus on the lessons we can teach regardless of pandemics – generosity, sharing, reuse/upcycling, and kindness. Laura and I are going to scour the house and challenge our niblings to do the same.

Unfortunately, the restrictions means they cannot accept books this year. However, these are the items in play (see what I did there) for distribution in 2020. Here are some examples of what they accept.

Please make sure items are clean, all pieces are in a baggie, and everything is labeled.

2020 Toy Categories (for labeling, organizing) are as follows

• Baby Toys (<1 year)
• Toddler Toys (1-3 years)
• Preschool Toys (3-5 years)
• Educational & STEM toys
• Dolls & Accessories
• Dress Up/Imaginary Play
• Arts & Crafts
• Sporting Equipment
• Riding Toys
• Outdoor Play
• Legos & Building Blocks
• Games
• Puzzles
• DVD movies
• Electronics
• Music
• Trucks, Trains, Vehicles
• Action Figures
• Big Ticket Items (play houses, play kitchens, doll houses, slides, kids picnic tables, bicycles, wagons, drones, etc)

Adults only in your household? You have DVDs, music, puzzles, electronics, arts and crafts, etc. Don’t let it sit around when it can make 2020 a year that ends on a good note and starts 2021 on a fun, playful, and generous note. You can add a positive final box to the 2020 Bingo Card (remember Murder Hornets, Zombie Minks, and Metal Monoliths in Nevada Desert?)

Here’s the link to the drop-off spots for donations.