# Local Charity Teams up with NextMe for Their Annual Toy Drive > See how NextME's digital waitlist app and virtual waiting room helped 1 Village bless 320 kids with gifts while keeping them safe. Source: https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/virtual-waiting-rooms-queues-charities/ [Blog](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/) · [Customer Stories](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/) See how NextME's digital waitlist app and virtual waiting room helped 1 Village bless 320 kids with gifts while keeping them safe. ![Vibrant plastic toy blocks scattered on a grey carpet, showcasing assorted shapes and colors.](https://nextmeapp.com/_astro/pexels-photo-4491703-4491703.Cnctk0jS_Vp6Bm.webp) - **Customer Stories** Category - **March 31, 2026** Updated - **2 min** Reading time ## How NextMe helped a charity bless 320 kids with gifts 1 Village, a non-profit organization located in metro Atlanta, has the fundamental goal of helping communities better themselves. Each year on Christmas Eve, they host a much anticipated toy drive for families in need. 1 Village works tirelessly throughout the year gathering donations and building sponsorships. Even the Spyder Squad ATL (motorcycle club) dropped off loads of gifts for the event this year. ## The problem: outdated check-in processes They had the gifts and sponsors but organizers were facing tough challenges this year. They needed to tackle their intake and check-in process. 1 Village decided to digitize the way they held events to ensure everyone’s safety. The answer? A modern waitlist solution with a virtual waiting room and QR codes. ## The solution: a queue management system with a virtual waiting room 1 Village teamed up with NextMe to employ a waitlist management system for the event. They customized their [virtual waiting room](https://nextmeapp.com/virtual-waiting-room/) and [self check-in](https://nextmeapp.com/self-check-in/) features based on their specific needs. And after some quick and friendly onboarding from NextMe staff, the organizers were ready to take on the event. ![How Queue Management and Virtual Waiting Rooms Helped a Charity Bless 320 Kids With Gifts | NextMe Waitlist App](https://nextmeapp.com/_astro/image2.BsQm0C-5_1XokNL.webp) ## How it went > _“The app was _definitely_ helpful and easy to use - overall it was a good day! We were able to bless 320 kids with gifts. ”_ - **Nikki Hicks, Co-Founder** - The organizers had implemented a pre-registration process ahead of the event (to ensure they had enough supplies for the demand this year). - When a guest arrived at the event, they checked in by scanning a QR code on one of their many check-in signs located outside. - The guest filled out their custom form and joined the waitlist. - Organizers filtered each guest coming on to the waitlist into their respective queues, based on their party size and pre-registration status. - While the guest waited in their car, they were engaged in the virtual waiting room - updating them on their spot in line, highlighting different sponsors, and capturing their emails in order to reach out to them for future events. - When space opened up inside, the organizer simply notified the next guest in line via the NextMe App. - The guest received the final text to come inside, with instructions on where to enter the building. - Gifts and smiles all around - with an email to attend their next event on the way. 1 Village plans on using NextMe at all of their future events, pandemic or not. From a managerial perspective, NextMe increased throughput and efficiency which helped the event run smoothly. And from a guest perspective, the self check-in and virtual waiting room features provided them with a better guest experience - and that made their day a little more special. If you’d like to donate to 1 Village, contact Nikki at [ittakesavillage@1villageinc.org](mailto:ittakesavillage@1villageinc.org). If you’d like more info about NextMe’s waitlist software, [book a demo](https://nextmeapp.com/request-demo/) or [contact us](https://nextmeapp.com/contact-us/). ## Frequently asked questions ### How can a charity manage check-in at a giveaway event? At 1 Village's toy drive, guests checked in by scanning a QR code on signs placed outside the venue. They filled out a short custom form and joined the waitlist, then waited in their cars until it was their turn. The organizers had also run a pre-registration process ahead of time to plan supplies. ### Can event organizers sort guests into separate lines? Yes. 1 Village filtered each guest who joined the waitlist into a queue based on party size and whether they had pre-registered. Staff then called guests forward from the right queue as space opened up. ### How do guests waiting in their cars know when to come inside? When space opens up, an organizer notifies the next guest in line from the NextMe app. The guest gets a final text telling them to come in, with instructions on which entrance to use. ### How can a nonprofit use a virtual waiting room beyond holding a place in line? While guests wait, the virtual waiting room can show their spot in line, highlight event sponsors, and collect email addresses. 1 Village used those emails to invite guests to future events. ## More in Customer Stories - [Businesses Using NextMe Benefit From Post-Covid Boom](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/businesses-using-nextme-benefit-from-post-covid-boom/) — Customer Stories · NextME's waitlist app has increased table turns by 286% at Cheeseburger in Paradise, with notifications and a custom Virtual Waiting Room. · March 31, 2026 · 3 min read - [Brewery Flourishes with NextMe's Virtual Waiting Room](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/brewery-flourishes-with-nextmes-virtual-waiting-room/) — Customer Stories · Spring is in the air, people are flocking to local breweries, and businesses with queue management systems are thriving amongst the crowds! · March 31, 2026 · 3 min read - [Small Business Spotlight - Gaslight Diner](https://nextmeapp.com/blog/customer-stories/small-business-spotlight-gaslight-diner/) — Customer Stories · Louisville’s Gaslight Diner uses NextMe’s check-in widget and virtual waiting room so guests can wait for a table in their cars instead of in line. · March 31, 2026 · 1 min read