SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – Two hundred San Diego families working to make ends meet now have presents to give their children thanks to a toy drive organized by Jewish Family Service of San Diego in collaboration with interfaith partners and community members.
On Dec. 8, the nonprofit transformed a room on its Joan and Irwin Jacobs Campus into a toy store for one night. Families enrolled in its programs were treated to a two-hour private shopping experience.
Parents were provided carts to roam the aisles and select from a variety of toys and stuffed animals, organized by age. Families were invited to hand-select two toys and two stuffed animals per child 12 years or younger.
Parents could choose from a wide assortment, such as books, sports equipment, Lego sets, board games, puzzles, board games, infant and baby toys, and more. Geppetto’s Toys President Brian Miller and his family wrapped presents for shoppers. Volunteers also provided childcare and activities on an outside patio.
The toys and supplies were donated by Geppetto’s Toys, Temple Adat Shalom, Temple Solel, Jewish Women’s Foundation, Daniel Fefferman and Define Real Estate, Toys for Tots and Target. One thousand stuffed animals were donated by Pastor John Quinata of Our Father’s Grace Ministries. Geppetto’s Toys hosted a toy drive at two of its stores located in the Carlsbad Forum and the Del Mar Highlands Town Center on Dec. 4 and matched each donated toy.
“At JFS, our work is focused ensuring that San Diegans have food to eat, a safe place to sleep and a community of support. Many parents enrolled in our programs aren’t able to provide holiday gifts for their children, and we wanted to get the community together to change that,” said Marissa Dates, JFS associate director of community and volunteer engagement. “We were honored to partner with Geppetto’s Toys who led the toy drive and greeted and wrapped presents at the event. They were instrumental, along with the other community partners, in creating this unique shopping experience that spread extra joy this holiday season.”
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Preceding provided by Jewish Family Service of San Diego