Merrick Community Services is celebrating the winter giving season with our Annual Holiday Share Toy Distribution Event on Saturday, December 13th, 2025. This year, we hope to be able to serve over 700 families on the East Side of Saint Paul with toys, food, and holiday fun.
Ways to Help Families for the Holidays
Registration/Toy Drive
PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
QUESTIONS? please contact Marissa Ruff or Zee Erickson for questions about REGISTRATION
SUPPORT US WITH A TOY DRIVE!
We are collecting toys for children of all ages. If you can collect items from employees and/or customers within your business and bring them to Merrick no later than Thursday, December 11th, we will happily include them in the distribution! We ask that all items be new, in original packaging, un-wrapped.
If you can serve as a collection point for customers, we can provide you with a collection bin and appropriate signage!
Contact Marissa Ruff at 651-419-4133 or mruff@merrickcs.org
Financial Support
We are needing to purchase some items directly this year. Are you able to make a contribution to help cover costs? A contribution of $1500 would help us cover some basic items for about five families; and $4500 would help us serve up to 15 families. If you are able to do more, we can do more together!
For more information on making a donation please contact Amy Votel @ 651-348-6568 or avotel@merrickcs.org
Every year we have a shortage of gifts for children age 14-17, and have to purchase items directly. If you can contribute in any way, that would be greatly appreciated! You can drop off gifts at the front desk Monday – Thursday 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Volunteer Time
Thank you to all the volunteers that have registered to help on December 13th! Looking forward to having you help us get ready for this wonderful event to support our deserving families.
An email will be coming soon with details on your shift. Please let us know if you are unbale to attend on your scheduled shift.
Please contact Amy Votel at 651-348-6568 or avotel@merrickcs.org with any further questions.
Registered Participant Information
IF YOU ARE REGISTERED PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION
If you have any questions about registration, please call Zee Erickson at 651-219-5534 or email at zerickson@merrickcs.org.
INFORMATION For SATURDAY, December 13th
- Please provide proof of address/ID with current address, AND proof of children you are registering (up to 10)
- Ramsey County residents ONLY; East Side focused (Ages 0-17)
- Walk-Ins for folks who are NOT pre-registered will only be allowed to come at 2pm
- Registration does not guarantee that you will be able to receive toys
- Time Slots for registration must be honored
- If at all possible, we encourage you to keep your child(ren) at home. Our hope is that you can choose gifts without them present to see the choices you have made
- You will not be eligible to sign up for the Holiday Share Toy Distribution if you are already signed up for Adopt-A-Family through a Merrick caseworker
Date: Saturday, December 13th, 2025
Location: 1669 Arcade Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106
