🎄 Our Story

About the Toy Drive

Twelve consecutive hours of toy collection and community engagement — and the start of one of Detroit's signature holiday traditions.

A happy toddler reaching for a soft stuffed toy

What It Is

A Holiday Initiative Built for Detroit's Kids

The 12-Hour Toy Drive is a community-based holiday initiative that provides toys and gifts to children and families throughout Metropolitan Detroit during the Christmas season. It operates as a twelve-hour community engagement experience — equal parts toy collection, celebration, and connection.

The purpose is simple: create a collaborative effort among businesses, nonprofits, schools, churches, fraternities, sororities, civic organizations, and community leaders so that every child in Detroit experiences the joy of the holidays.

Inside the Twelve Hours

More Than a Drop-Off

The event turns Bert's Warehouse into a day-long holiday huddle packed with engagement for the whole family.

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Toy Collection

New, unwrapped toys collected and distributed to children across the city.

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Live Entertainment

Live DJs, a showcase of live jazz, and music all day long.

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Food & Fellowship

Food tasting, games, and family engagement at Eat at Bert's.

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Community Outreach

Meet coaches, players, sponsors, and resource partners from across Detroit.

The Inaugural Year

Dozens of Partners. One Detroit.

The inaugural toy drive successfully engaged community businesses, nonprofit and youth-serving organizations, health and wellness groups, local artists and entertainers, corporate supporters, volunteer teams, and community influencers — establishing the foundation for what can become one of Detroit's signature annual holiday traditions.

Detroit Sports Zone 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit NFL Alumni Silver Fitness Umoja Debate League Bernard's Haven The Friends U Need Twins Auto Sales

Community members gathered together at a neighborhood giving event

Our Vision

Michigan's Premier Community Holiday Event

To establish the 12-Hour Toy Drive as Michigan's premier community-driven holiday giving event — while creating year-round opportunities for sponsorship, volunteerism, and community impact.

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Community Impact

Serve thousands of children annually, expand distribution across Metro Detroit, and support underserved communities year-round.

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Brand Development

Build recognition throughout Michigan with strategic corporate partnerships and a sustainable fundraising model.

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Digital Expansion

Online donations, sponsor and volunteer registration, announcements, and campaign tracking — all in one place.

Proudly Presented By

Marracci No. 13

The 12-Hour Toy Drive is presented by Marracci No. 13 — brothers of the Shrine whose lifelong commitment to charity, fellowship, and lifting up children is the heartbeat of this movement — together with Detroit Sports Zone and community partners.

That spirit of giving is woven through every one of the twelve hours.

Shriners emblem — scimitar, crescent, star, and sphinx

From the Founder

"Every child deserves the joy of the season."

As we prepare for the Second Annual 12-Hour Toy Drive, our objective is to elevate this from a successful community initiative into a recognizable regional brand and a sustainable year-round charitable platform. Together, we can make this one of Detroit's most impactful traditions.

— Eugene Lewis, Founder · Detroit Sports Zone

Join the Mission