Kids Fill Toy Box for Charity at Toy Story 5 Screening

Children lining up to see Toy Story 5 in Haverfordwest, Wales are bringing more than just excitement to the theater—they're bringing toys for kids who need them most.

The Palace Cinema created "Andy's Toys" donation boxes to collect items for SNAP Specialist Play, a local charity supporting preschool children with additional and complex needs. The response has been so strong that the boxes filled completely within 24 hours of opening.

"We've been flooded with comments of people asking how they could be involved, and how many toys they're allowed to bring," said cinema manager Hannah Cramp. About 90 Toy Story fans showed up on opening night Thursday, many dressed as their favorite Pixar characters, arms full of donations.

SNAP Specialist Play operates out of Withybush Hospital, where specialists use play to provide early intervention and assessments for children. The charity runs structured play sessions that include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy alongside clinical appointments.

"Children don't realize that they're actually having interventions through these therapies," said Cindy Jenkins, SNAP's project manager. "They're having too much fun at the same time as us trying to do activities, or work on their fine motor skills or sensory needs."

The Ripple Effect

The donated toys will serve multiple purposes across the community. Staff will adapt equipment to create bespoke programs tailored to each child's needs through their sensory rooms and quiet areas.

Extra toys will entertain siblings of children attending groups and events. SNAP also plans to set aside donations for Father Christmas visits and Christmas boxes the charity gives to families throughout the year.

The donation drive runs through mid-July, and organizers are already planning how to distribute the overflow to other local charities serving children in need.

The Palace Cinema regularly decorates its foyer to match major movie releases, but this time they've created something that reaches far beyond the screen.