Arlington County police collect new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots at 12 drop boxes from Nov. 1 to Dec. 9 and at two Saturday events. Here is where to give.

Arlington County police are collecting toys for children in need again. The department’s 12th annual Fill the Cruiser Toy Drive opens Sunday, Nov. 1, with drop boxes at 12 businesses, libraries and county buildings. The Arlington County Police Department announced the drive on Monday.

The department asks for new, unwrapped toys for children from newborns to age 17. It gives everything collected to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, for children across Arlington.

Give to an officer in person

Officers will fill their cruisers at two collection events:

Date Time Place
Saturday, Nov. 21 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 830 23rd St. S.
Saturday, Dec. 5 Noon to 4 p.m. Lee Harrison Shopping Center, 2425 N. Harrison St.

Drop boxes, Nov. 1 to Dec. 9

The department listed these drop-off points:

  • Westover Market Beer Garden, 5863 Washington Blvd.
  • Compass Coffee, 4710 Langston Blvd.
  • Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 3901 Cathedral Lane
  • Office building, 200 N. Glebe Road
  • Arlington Courthouse, second floor, Administrative Support Unit, 1425 N. Courthouse Road
  • Ireland’s Four Courts, 2051 Wilson Blvd.
  • Celtic House Irish Pub, 2500 Columbia Pike
  • Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Ave.
  • Ruthie’s All-Day, 3411 5th St. S.
  • Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center, 333 Long Bridge Drive
  • Freddie’s Beach Bar, 555 23rd St. S.
  • Courthouse Public Library, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.

What it means for you

  • Buy new and leave it unwrapped. Used or wrapped toys are not on the department’s list.
  • Remember older kids. The drive covers children up to age 17, not only little ones.
  • The last day for drop boxes is Wednesday, Dec. 9. The final in-person collection is Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Lee Harrison Shopping Center.

For more ways to help this season, see our things to do in Arlington page.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I drop off toys for the Arlington police toy drive?

Twelve drop boxes take toys from Nov. 1 to Dec. 9, including Shirlington Library, Courthouse Public Library, Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center and Compass Coffee on Langston Boulevard. Officers also collect in person Saturday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 5.

What toys does Fill the Cruiser accept?

New, unwrapped toys for children from newborns to age 17, the Arlington County Police Department said.

Where do the Fill the Cruiser toys go?

The police department gives them to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program for children in need in Arlington.