For families struggling to make ends meet, finding room in the household budget for Christmas gifts isn't always easy. This holiday season, residents of Williamsburg Settlement have an opportunity to help make sure more local children have something special to unwrap, thanks to the return of Harris County Precinct 4's annual Toys 4 Joy holiday toy drive.

Led by Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones in partnership with Precinct4Forward, the 2026 Toys 4 Joy campaign aims to bring holiday cheer to 500 children across Precinct 4. From October 20 through December 4, 2026, residents can donate new, unwrapped toys at 12 participating community centers, senior education centers, and nature facilities throughout Harris County.

For Williamsburg Settlement neighbors who want to give back during the holidays, participating is as simple as picking up an extra toy while shopping and dropping it off at a nearby Precinct 4 facility.

How to Donate to the 2026 Harris County Precinct 4 Toys 4 Joy Drive

The Toys 4 Joy campaign is collecting toys for children ages 17 and younger. Donations must meet the following guidelines:

• Donation dates: October 20 through December 4, 2026

• Toy condition: New and unwrapped

• Toy value: Between $10 and $20 each

• Age range: Appropriate for children 17 and younger

• Drop-off locations: 12 participating Harris County Precinct 4 facilities

Residents can place their donations in a designated Toys 4 Joy collection box at a participating location. Precinct 4 staff members can also assist anyone who needs help making a donation.

Families, neighborhood groups, local businesses, churches, and school organizations can participate by collecting toys together. A neighborhood toy drive or office collection could make it easier for several households to contribute, even if each person can only purchase one gift.

Where to Drop Off Toys: 12 Harris County Precinct 4 Donation Locations

Residents throughout Cypress, Katy, Hockley, Tomball, and Houston have several options for dropping off Toys 4 Joy donations. The following 12 facilities are listed as participating locations.

Community Centers

1. Bayland Community Center | 6400 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77074

2. Burnett Bayland Community Center | 6026 Chimney Rock Road, Houston, TX 77081

3. Freed Community Center | 6818 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, TX 77055

4. Hockley Community Center | 28515 Old Washington Road, Hockley, TX 77447

5. Richard & Meg Weekley Community Center | 8440 Greenhouse Road, Cypress, TX 77433

6. Steve Radack Community Center | 18650 Clay Road, Houston, TX 77084

7. Tracy Gee Community Center | 3599 Westcenter Drive, Houston, TX 77042

Senior Education Centers

8. Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center | 16600 Pine Forest Lane, Houston, TX 77084

9. Jim & JoAnn Fonteno Senior Education Center | 6600 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77074

Aquatic and Fitness Centers

10. Mary Jo Peckham Aquatic & Fitness Center | 5597 Gardenia Lane, Katy, TX 77493

Environmental Education and Nature Centers

11. Kleb Woods Nature Center | 20303 Draper Road, Tomball, TX 77377

12. John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center | 9950 Katy Hockley Road, Cypress, TX 77433

Residents are encouraged to check their preferred facility's operating hours before visiting. Each location name above links to its official Harris County Precinct 4 information page, while the street addresses link directly to Google Maps for directions.

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A Holiday Tradition That Has Helped Thousands of Harris County Families

Toys 4 Joy is part of a broader effort by Commissioner Lesley Briones and Harris County Precinct 4 to connect residents with opportunities to support their neighbors.

The annual holiday toy drive has already demonstrated what community participation can accomplish. According to Precinct 4's 2025 campaign information, the previous year's drive collected 1,325 toys for children throughout the region.

This year's campaign continues that tradition with a goal of reaching 500 children.

One of the organizations helping make that possible is Precinct4Forward, a nonprofit established in 2023 under Commissioner Briones' leadership. Created to bring public agencies, businesses, philanthropic partners, and residents together, the organization supports initiatives ranging from youth education and disaster relief to community health programs and improvements to public spaces.

Its work has included free summer camps, emergency supplies following major storms, and the distribution of portable air conditioning units to residents in need. The Toys 4 Joy partnership offers another way for neighbors to help neighbors through an established local program.

Why Local Toy Drives Matter During the Holidays

For many households, holiday shopping comes after more pressing expenses like rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation. Even a modest Christmas gift can be difficult to fit into a tight budget.

Community toy drives help ease some of that pressure by giving families access to donated gifts while allowing neighbors to contribute in a practical, affordable way.

The $10 to $20 donation range makes Toys 4 Joy accessible to residents who want to participate without spending a large amount. It also gives parents an opportunity to involve their children in choosing a gift for someone else, turning an ordinary shopping trip into a lesson in generosity.

For Williamsburg Settlement residents, the campaign is also a reminder that the community extends beyond neighborhood boundaries. A toy donated at a nearby center may help make Christmas morning a little happier for a child elsewhere in Harris County.

How to Learn More About Toys 4 Joy

Residents interested in participating should plan to drop off their donations no later than Friday, December 4, 2026. Those who need assistance with a donation can speak with a Precinct 4 team member at a participating facility.

For additional information, including community center operating hours and program updates, visit the Harris County Precinct 4 website or explore the Precinct 4 Community Centers directory.

The campaign announcement focuses on collecting toys and does not specify how families can apply to receive gifts. Residents seeking information about potential assistance or eligibility should contact Harris County Precinct 4 directly at 832-927-4444 rather than assuming that toys will be distributed at the collection centers.

With the donation period running through early December, there's time for neighbors, businesses, and community organizations to get involved. One extra toy in a shopping cart may seem like a small contribution, but for a child who might otherwise go without a holiday gift, it can mean a great deal.

Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for more local holiday giving opportunities, volunteer programs, and community updates throughout Harris County.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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