The Monroe County Public Library is organizing a community toy swap

Bloomington, Indiana – A young girl, perhaps three years old, wearing a shimmering gold and black dress, dashes toward a table filled with an assortment of children’s toys. With a swift motion, she sends the pink plastic horse flying from her grasp, across the room. Her gaze is fixed on a singular focus.

“Baby!” she exclaims, leaping up to grab the foot of a baby doll from the table. She embraces it closely and nurtures it gently. “Sweetheart,” she says with a softer touch.

A young boy, approximately five years old, gazes in wonder at the towering display of vibrant stuffed animals across the room. After several moments of intense focus, hardly blinking, he carefully extends his hand towards a brown stuffed dragon, its red tongue playfully protruding. He holds onto it for the entire duration he is present in the room.

A mother moves through the room, her gaze shifting from one table to another, with a baby no older than three months secured to her chest. A father attempts to corral his three children amidst a sea of toys that sprawls across the entire room.

Over the weekend, the Monroe County Public Library and Tandem Birthing Center held their second annual community toy swap. According to Jon Stevens, the children’s services librarian at MCPL, the event attracted a total of 208 attendees. On Saturday, local residents contributed toys and children’s books in excellent condition, gaining the opportunity to browse through a selection of additional toys and books. On Sunday, the toy swap welcomed all participants, with no requirements for donations.

Last year in Bloomington, the toy swap tradition was initiated. The initiative began with Stevens, who is one of the co-creators of the community toy swap.

At that time, Stevens had just become a parent and was looking to tidy up his home while also saving some money for the holiday season. He contacted Tandem to explore potential creations leveraging their shared resources, in collaboration with the Monroe County community.

Kathleen Regan-Wyant, a fellow children’s services librarian at the MCPL, played a significant role in bringing this idea to fruition.

Previously, the swap was limited to just a single day for shopping. This year, Stevens reported that the event saw a twofold increase in attendees, donations, and shopping days.

At the front of the room, two volunteers carefully wrapped each toy that was brought to them at the gift-wrapping station.

Amonie Briner was among the volunteers who participated through Tandem. This marked her inaugural year as a volunteer for the event.

“Recently, we have focused our volunteer efforts on health care,” Briner stated. “In particular, health care for women.” That was the reason we decided to get involved in this.

Briner emphasized that Bloomington is a community with significant needs, and contributing to the community is a major objective for her in her volunteer efforts.

A different segment of the exchange took place in another area of the MCPL, specifically during a monitored children’s craft session.

Stevens mentioned that this initiative was designed for families to enjoy a fun activity before or after the toy swap, and it also catered to parents looking to shop privately while their children were engaged.

Stevens expressed his hope that this event will expand in the years ahead.

He wishes for families from diverse backgrounds to leave the event each year feeling joyful, fostering a sense of unity within the community.

“I’ve come to understand that children are less concerned with elaborate, new packaging for their toys,” Stevens stated. “As adults, we have the ability to challenge and unlearn the notion instilled in us by years of advertising that a toy’s worth is solely tied to its newness.”

Attention to all who were unable to attend the initial weekend of the toy swap: a final opportunity will take place from 2-5 p.m. on December 20 at the Southwest branch of the Monroe County Public Library. No donation is necessary, and newly donated toys will be accessible.

Stevens announced that any toys left over after the swap will be given to different schools and charitable organizations.

Stevens expressed, “I hope this event serves as a reminder that kindness and sharing within our community ultimately benefits everyone, particularly our children.”