Power with Purpose: Batteries Plus Partners with Toys for Tots for Summer Disaster Relief

Power - by Lexi Wood - updated on 8/4/2025

Batteries Plus has been giving back to our local communities for over 30 years. This August, we've once again teamed up with Toys for Tots for our second Power with Purpose event. The goal? Helping children and their families recover after natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.

Supporting Toys for Tots: Disaster Relief Initiative

Toys for Tots is known for collecting and giving out toys to underprivileged children during the holiday season. While it's true Toys for Tots collection campaigns run from October through December, distribution happens throughout the year. The organization's disaster response and recovery program has notably helped families impacted by:

• Tornado outbreaks in 2022
• Hurricanes and train derailments in 2023
• Wildfires in 2024 and 2025

Toys for Tots only gives out complete gifts, which means the many battery-powered toys they receive can only be given when there are batteries available. That's where Batteries Plus comes in: we've provided batteries to Toys for Tots holiday campaigns for over 5 years. Now, our Power with Purpose is supporting their Disaster Relief Initiative   to help families during hurricane season and other summer disasters.

When a family has lost everything to a natural disaster, the littlest things can help them on the road to recovery. Providing kids with new toys gives them a sense of normalcy during turbulent times. Batteries Plus is proud to support Toys for Tots in their efforts so no child has to hear "batteries not included".

Exclusive Savings in August

Batteries Plus is helping families recover after natural disasters with fully powered toys from Toys for Tots. Here's how you can help (and get exclusive savings):

• Get $8 off 36-packs of Duracell Coppertop AA or AAA batteries
• For every pack sold in August, Batteries Plus will donate a pack to Toys for Tots

Key event details:

• Toys for Tots donation valid: August 1 – August 31, 2025
• $8 savings valid: July 1 – September 30, 2025
• Where: Available in-store and online at BatteriesPlus.com

Save on batteries and give back, all at Batteries Plus!

Managing Hurricane Season

The top things to have on hand at your home when severe weather is headed your way:

• Originals or copies of important documents
• Bottled water and shelf-stable foods
• Medication and a first aid kit
• Spare batteries and chargers
• Weather radio with back-up power
• Flashlights

In the event of an evacuation, be sure to bring the above plus:

• Physical cash
• Extra clothes
• Sanitary products
• Spare house and car keys
• Jumpstarter kit
• Full gas can and/or car charger

The exact items you need may depend on where you live and the weather. For instance, sump pump batteries are recommended for those who live in areas where flooding is likely. Download or print our emergency kit checklist   to prepare for all sorts of natural disasters.

Recovering from Natural Disaster

A natural disaster doesn't always have a clear ending. Flooding, fires, and power outages may continue for days or weeks after the initial event. Recovery only starts once the area is deemed safe by local authorities. When your family heads home, make sure to:

First, follow all directives given by local, state, or federal authorities. They will be your best source for information on when it is safe to leave your home or return after evacuating. They can also provide resources to help with cleanup efforts.

Second, once you've been given the all clear to return, assess your home or other properties. Be cautious! Do not enter a building that smells of gas, is near downed power lines, or contains standing water, as debris could be hidden under the surface. Report on any threats you encounter.

Next, the cleanup begins. Be very careful when removing debris to avoid exposed wires, broken glass, or loose nails. Try to sort through and salvage what belongings you can.

What is Safe to Salvage

Unfortunately, fire and flood damage make it very hard to salvage your belongings, even those which appear to survive the initial disaster. Water can lead to mold and rot in the very foundations of your home. Fire and smoke can leave behind carcinogens. You'll have to decide what is okay to keep and what needs to be removed.

• Food: High heat can ruin a lot of foods, so fire may lead to an empty pantry. A power outage beyond a few hours can leave your refrigerated and frozen foods unsafe for consumption. And due to the health hazards of floodwater, you will need to dispose of most exposed food unless it is in a sealed metal can or other waterproof container. You will still need to wash these containers to limit contamination.
• Clothing: Fabric which is sealed in drawers, closest, or storage containers may survive. They just might require a wash to remove stains and odors from smoke or water. Prolonged exposure may ruin the clothes.
• Furniture: Just like clothing, some furniture may survive if it was on a second floor (above floodwater) or in a storage area (in the case of fire). You can try drying out waterlogged furniture, just know that anything soaked for more than 24-48 hours is at greater risk for developing mold.
• Toys: Stuffies and other soft toys face the same risks as clothing. Electronics are already sensitive, and being exposed to heat or moisture can ruin the internal systems. And no one wants to play a waterlogged board game.

Grief is common after disasters, even among those who are lucky. Children are at greater risk and will need more support after a disaster. It's crucial to stay calm and avoid additional stress as much as possible during the recovery process. This is why the work by Toys for Tots is so important. All those families impacted by disaster can, through a donated toy, receive a little bit of joy.

If you're interested in supporting Toys for Tots beyond our Buy 1, Donate 1 campaign, you can learn more by visiting Toys for Tots online  .