Special Programs

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TIC-TOC

TIC-TOC (Toys Inspiring Children To Overcome Challenges) is a new project of the Pirate Toy Fund. TIC-TOC focuses on children with developmental challenges, providing them with educational toys that help grow their cognitive and motor skills in a supportive home environment. Many of the toys these children rely on during the school day are unavailable to parents and caregivers due to their cost. The Pirate Toy Fund works to raise funds for these adaptive toys to make them available through recognized program partners that work with special-needs children.

Why Do We Need Special Toys?

Children with physical disabilities often struggle to use typical store-bought toys because these toys require fine motor skills to handle small parts. Children with emotional disabilities may develop strong attachments to specific toys that help them practice and build healthy social skills. Unfortunately, adaptive toys designed to meet these needs are usually very expensive, rarely available in major retail stores, and seldom donated through our toy drives. For these reasons, we must raise the funds to purchase the toys ourselves.

Why Do We Need You?

Children with special needs need special toys. Your donations will enable us to meet these needs, thereby helping us strengthen families already stressed by these difficult economic times.

Kids 4 Kids

One of the ways children can help raise funds for this program is through the “Change” A Life Campaign, whereby school children can collect and donate their spare change.

If your school would like to collect coins for a week, two weeks, or more, call us at 271-5519. One of us will be happy to speak with you about the program or address a school assembly. We’ll provide the coin canisters and pick up the coins at your convenience. This is a great way kids can help other kids who are less fortunate than themselves.

Toys on Patrol

Since its launch in 2011, the Pirate Toy Fund’s Toys on Patrol program has become a tremendous success. With toys and books donated by the Rochester community, law enforcement officers are able to comfort children facing difficult or traumatic situations. The program has been praised by both officers and community members, with Monroe County law enforcement noting, “This one gesture can make all the difference. It shows children that we’re not the bad guys—we’re here to help.”

Kinecta Federal Credit Union supports the effort by providing bags to protect the toys and books carried in patrol cars. Volunteers play an essential role by packaging donations, and community partners such as Mayer Paint & Hardware have contributed by donating storage chests for agencies.

In 2012, the program expanded through a partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Jail, and there are plans to extend it to additional law enforcement agencies throughout Western New York. So far, officers have distributed more than 25,000 toys to children through Toys on Patrol.