Every year DARDA collects toys to be distributed to the needy children of the island of Dominica during the Christmas Holiday.  This year, we request your help in brightening a child’s life with the gift of Christmas.

We seek donations of toys and/or sports equipment for children of all ages.  Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional toys. DARDA collects toys year round.  Donations received by October 31st will be shipped to the children of Dominica in time for their Christmas celebration.  Donations received after then will be sent the following year.

To make a donation, please contact a member of the Toy Drive Committee:

Lisa McIntyre (Chairperson) at LTMC776@hotmail.com
Grace Bruney at GCBruney@gmail.com
Shari Shillingford at Sweetness_20784@hotmail.com
Janelle McIntyre at janelle.mcintyre@gmail.com
DARDA at dardaorg@gmail.com

All donations are tax-deductible. Receipts are available.

DARDA appreciates your support!

To ensure that many benefit from the Toy Drive, DARDA distributes the toys to different villages each year.  This is DARDA’s attempt to reach each child, one village at a time.

As a result, since its inception, the Toy Drive has provided toys to several villages throughout Dominica at Christmastime.

Refer to the map to see some of the many villages DARDA has provided with toys as a result of DARDA's annual toy drive efforts, including: Grand Bay, Giraudel, Penville, Delaford, Coulibistrie, Morne Rachette, Laudat, Galion, Scotts Head, Soufriere, Marigot, Delices, Trafalgar, San Sauvuer, Good Hope, Petite Souffiere, Loubiere, Grand Fond, St. Joseph, Wesley, LaPlaine, LaRonde, Vieille Case, Ambas, LaPaille, Cotton, Petite Savanne, Bagatelle, Pte Michel, Castle Bruce, Mahaut, Morne Jaune, River Cyrique, Roseau Central, Dubique, Pichelin, and Salybia.

In 2008, the Toy Drive committee made the decision to try a new approach for DARDA’s annual toy drive.  In order to make a bigger impact, DARDA decided to reduce the number of villages sent toys and focused on just a few areas, with the intent to rotate locations in the coming years.   The idea is that by reducing the number of villages we visit, DARDA can purchase better toys and send larger quantities to the selected areas.  In addition, DARDA will also be able to supply each area with snacks, candy and juice for their holiday party.

In 2008, the two areas chosen consisted of several villages.

Area 1: Bagatelle/Dubique/Petite Savanne
Area 2: Coulibistre/Morne Rachette/Salisbury

In addition to the villages listed above, DARDA was also able to supply toys for the President’s Holiday Party and the Social Centre.   DARDA worked with Cecilia Martin and the Helping Hands organization on the President’s party.  DARDA provided them with 200 toys and received a letter of appreciation from the President’s office (see below).  In addition, two boxes of large toys were sent to Social Centre.

In total, DARDA sent 21 boxes of toys and supplies to Dominica.

DARDA would like to thank everyone that contributed to the Toy Drive's success!

The children of Dubique enjoy their Christmas celebration with new toys (e.g. basketballs, board games, stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, race cars, video games) and snacks provided by DARDA's 2008 Toy Drive.

In 2006, DARDA collected and purchased over 1300 toys, which were shipped to children from 35 villages in Dominica (including Castle Bruce, Galion, Scotts Head and Soufriere, among others).  In addition, DARDA also sent bags filled with candy, treats and party favors for each child to enjoy during their village Christmas parties.

Donations  included stuffed animals, dolls, cars, board games, and sporting equipment.

DARDA's Toy Drive would not be a success without the gracious contributions made by others.  DARDA would like to thank the many individuals and companies that gave towards our 2006 toy drive efforts.  It is because of these generous donations that so many children were able to experience the joy of Christmas.  Thank You!

In 2005, DARDA members collected and purchased over 1300 toys for our annual toy drive.  Seventeen barrels of toys and party goods toys were shipped to Dominica.  As a result, DARDA was able to provide 30 villages (including Petit Savanne, LaPlaine, Marigot, Laudat, Pichelin, Salybia and Vielle Case) with approximately 40 to 100 toys each. DARDA was also able to provide the Social Center with toys as well. 

Children ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years received gifts including stuffed animals, dolls, miniature cars and trucks, board games, jump ropes, balls, and other fun toys.  Each child also received a treat bag filled with candy canes, chocolate and other sweet treats.