Merced-area holiday drives giving more toys to community children than ever before
The spirit of giving and generosity is growing around Merced County this holiday season. Local annual toy drives have gotten larger, while new ones are giving more children than ever a merry Christmas.
The City of Atwater’s fire and police departments collaborated on their first annual holiday toy drive — and it looks to be a fruitful first year. As the top donor, the Atwater Elementary School District donated $5,721 in cash and coins to the drive with their “Pennies for Presents” event.
Toys will be passed out between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Christmas Eve at the Atwater Community Center, 760 E. Bellevue Road. A total of 386 Atwater children, age 12 and under, are registered for the event.
Countywide spirit of giving
The annual Santa Day Toy Drive, hosted by California Highway Patrol Merced, this year brought more than 1,800 toys to about 1,500 kids around Merced County.
“Every year, it seems like we’re getting bigger and bigger,” CHP Merced Public Information Officer Eric Zuniga said. “We try to keep it all within the community.”
Started in 2008, the event has grown to be supported by M-Mig Construction in Atwater, Starbucks, the U.S. Army and many others. Over $4,800 in cash donations were received this year.
The toys were distributed by United Way of Merced County, CASA of Merced County, Approachable Foster Family Agency, Merced Foster Care and St. Vincent de Paul in Planada. So many toys were received that CHP reached out to Valley Crisis Center to participate too, Zuniga said.
“We had so many toys that we had to donate more,” he said.
Operation Christmas Star, hosted by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, also had its biggest year yet. Teaming up with Merced County Probation, Wellpath and Merced County Fire, the drive brought toys to 1,941 kids in Merced County. Clothing and food were delivered to families in need as well.
Annual Christmas feast
Toys and a free Christmas feast with all the trimmings will also be available to families and homeless individuals in need at Merced County Rescue Mission’s annual Christmas Eve Banquet. Spiral ham, potatoes, vegetable and pumpkin pie will be served by volunteers from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 939 W. Main Street, downtown Merced.
“I think it’s good just because the community comes together at these times to help those people who aren’t so lucky to have a Christmas,” said Kerri Marlow, Rescue Mission’s program manager for respite and hope bridging programs.
Santa Claus will attend the banquet and pass out toys to children age 13 and younger. The County Department of Education donated hundreds of shoe boxes filled with toys.
The Christmas banquet is possible in large part to individual donors who provide much of the food, said Marlow.
Between 400 to 500 people attended last year’s banquet, Marlow said. She predicts a similar amount, if not more, will attend this year. Over 100 volunteers are expected to serve at the feast.
To support the homeless year-round, Marlow urged individuals to volunteer at homeless shelters. She encouraged people to be nice to the homeless, and open-minded about their situation.
