As the holiday season rapidly approaches, the Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation is calling on the community to take part in its annual Christmas Holiday Toy Drive, which benefits nearly 300 of the county’s most vulnerable youth.
“The goal is simple,” said Mona Stephens, Development Director at Yavapai CASA for Kids Foundation. “Each year, we want to make sure every foster youth in the county experiences a holiday where they feel seen, cared for, and hopeful. The Christmas Holiday Toy Drive achieves this goal.”
For over a decade, the Drive continues to collect new, unwrapped gifts for children and young adults who are currently in foster care or have recently aged out of care in Yavapai County. After all the donations are gathered, the Foundation sets up a store-like distribution space in both Cottonwood and Prescott Valley where foster parents, kinship caregivers, caseworkers, and CASA volunteers can select several gifts for each youth in their care. This model allows caregivers to create a meaningful holiday morning for the children they support. Many who may not otherwise receive much during the season, and many who are spending their first holiday in foster care.
Collection boxes are already up across Yavapai County at local businesses and community spaces in Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Sedona, and Yarnell. A full list of drop-off locations can be found at YavapaiCASAforKids.org/christmas-holiday-toy-drive. The last day for toy collection at all drop-off locations will be Monday, December 8th, 2025.
While the Drive makes a real difference for all foster youth from and/or living in Yavapai County, it carries particular significance for older youth. Many teens in foster care live in group homes, where the holidays often feel lonely and far removed from the typical experiences their peers enjoy. Some may not have family visiting, and others lack supportive adults who can celebrate with them. Without donations from community members, these youth can easily feel forgotten during a time focused on connection and belonging.
“Last year, we received an eighteen-thousand-dollar grant specifically for gifts for teens and young adults. It made a tremendous difference,” Stephens said. “We haven’t secured a grant of that size this year, but the need is just as strong. Older youth deserve a good Christmas too, and we hope the community will help us support them.”
