A group of local parents is working to make playtime more sustainable through the Geneva Toy Library, a community-driven effort that encourages families to share gently used toys rather than discard them.
The toy library operates on a swap-based model, allowing toys that are no longer being used by one child to be enjoyed by another.
“We are a group of parents who found each other through the magic of the internet that have decided to make this endeavor to make play more sustainable,” Amy Hellauer Geiger, one of the organizers, said. “We’re taking toys that still have a lot of life left in them and putting them into our library, and then families come to us and take them home.”
Currently, the group does not have a permanent location and is not yet offering traditional checkouts. Instead, donated toys are circulated directly back into the Geneva community.
The group began hosting pop-up swaps at local parks during the summer and is now looking for indoor spaces to continue events through the winter. Organizers said they welcome leads on potential spaces that could support future swaps or a permanent toy library.
The Geneva Toy Library will host its next toy swap from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Temple Beth El on Main Street in Geneva. Families are invited to bring toys that are still in good condition and take home items that interest them.
Toy swaps are typically held about once a month, and no registration is required. Families can simply show up during the event.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
