Gift Giveaway Dec. 20
By The Richmond Fire & Police Toy Program
Each year, Richmond Firefighters and Police Officers come together to bring holiday cheer to families in need through the annual Toy Program. This special event helps ensure that every child can experience the joy of the season.
The joy of watching kids opening their presents is something most parents look forward to at Christmas. Sadly, some families don’t get to see that joy because they can’t afford presents or even a nice meal.
West County families need your help. Many families struggle to make ends meet during the holidays. You can help a family having tough times. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
This Saturday, Dec. 13, a Benefit Raffle will be held at St. David of Wales Catholic School, located at 871 Sonoma Street, Richmond to support the Program. We will have food, games and more. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts.
The gift giveaway will take place on Dec. 20th at DeJean Middle School at 3400 MacDonald Avenue in Richmond, beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Sign-ups to receive gifts have already ended).
About The Richmond Fire and Police Toy Program
In 1989, Richmond firefighter Rod Woods (now retired) saw the need in the community and organized a small local toy drive to help families in need. At the same time and separately, the Richmond Police Department also saw the need in the community, only their focus was on providing families with food for that special meal and beyond.
After many years of growing their separate programs and having outgrown the space at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center where the event took place, Fire and Police decided to unite as one entity and file for non-profit status so they could get corporate sponsors to help more families. Chevron Fire stepped up and continues their support. El Cerrito Fire also joined for a time.
The E.M. Downer YMCA stepped up to offer a larger space in their gym, as well as providing support for the sign-ups, administrative support and smiles all around. The program went from serving over 500 families with toys and food to over 1,500 with the addition of a chance to win a donated bicycle.
Corporate sponsors such as Chevron, Mechanics Bank, Richmond Sanitary, Richmond Rotary, Sims Metal, Costco, the Courtyard by Marriott and many others stepped up to the plate to offer not only money, but volunteers who helped with toy bagging, food bagging and at the event itself, handing out bags, helping to carry bags, handling the bike giveaway and much more. There were bikes to build, trucks to drive to pick up toys, bikes, food and chicken. Fire and Police, along with community volunteers, came together to make it happen. The Richmond Police Explorers helped with the logistics and keeping the lines in order, and also with assisting those needing help carrying the bags of toys and food.
Rod Woods was the heart and soul of the program. His outgoing personality, ability to talk people into giving support in many forms is sorely missed.
For more information or to make a donation visit https://richmondfireandpolicetoyprogram.com, call 510-375-3477 or email info@richmondfireandpolicetoyprogram.com.
Leave a Reply