Merced County donations for Christmas toy drive reach record high

Merced County residents and organizations donated in record numbers this year to the Operation Holiday Toy Drive campaign, a joint effort of the Sheriff’s Department and the Human Services Agency.

About 2,000 Merced children benefited from the community’s generosity this year, which is a record number, Sgt. Delray Shelton said.

“This is, by far, the best year we’ve ever had,” Shelton said. “From county employees, to local business and organizations and community residents coming together, it felt like everybody just pitched in. We even had people who received help from the program in the past come forward this year to donate and pay it back.”

CJ Jones, a program co-coordinator, called it a “bumper year” for donations. “It actually gives us a good head start on next year’s campaign, too,” she said.

The joint effort between the departments has been an annual Christmas tradition for 16 years. The campaign compiles a range of gifts, such as toys and gift cards, along with food and blankets for families in need.

Shelton and Jones praised the dozens of groups and hundreds of community members who donated to the cause. While there were too many groups to thank individually, Shelton said organizations such as DaVita Dialysis, Kohl’s department store and the Merced Transit Authority were particularly generous with their time and financial contributions.

“There were some huge contributions; very generous donations made,” he said. “It was all about the community recognizing there’s a real need here in Merced, and doing what they can to make this collaboration possible.”

It’s an effort planned and developed year-round, Jones said.

“We love knowing that kids who are going through difficult times still get something – at least one present minimum – and they get to have Christmas,” Jones said. “Every foster child gets something. That’s very important to us.”

One neighborhood from Bodega Court came together and donated more than $600 in gift cards to area businesses and restaurants for teenagers.

“That’s the group that is typically the most difficult to get gifts for,” Jones said. “Everybody loves to buy the toys for the young kids, and a lot of times it’s hard finding things teenagers will like.”

Shelton said others donated their time and talents in unconventional ways. One person, a retired county employee, personally tied a handmade bow around hundreds of donated gifts.

“We always rely on the good hearts and kind spirits of the community,” Shelton said. “It’s very gratifying to see it come together like it did this year.”

This story was originally published December 24, 2014 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Merced County donations for Christmas toy drive reach record high."