It's a special time of year, but not always an easy one for families and children in need. The Tower Toy Drive is dedicated to making the holidays a little bit brighter for kids finding themselves in the hospital or living in a homeless shelter.
This year our team delivered big, literally! Strategically shopping throughout the year we were able to buy over 600 new items to fill the wish lists of 5 different groups in addition to sponsoring several local families in need.
Delivery #1: Acres of Hope - a homeless shelter for women and children that has been one of our partners for years. With a wishlist of requests, Santa's bag was full of toys for the kids and some useful gifts for mom on the the list including books, book bags, medicine kits, humidifiers, DVDs, and even a new leaf blower.
Delivery #2: Wind Youth Services - serving homeless teens in Sacramento.
Santa's sleigh was full of new shoes, jackets and gift cards.
Delivery #3: Sutter Medical Center’s Children’s Center - A group providing toys and wellness services to children in the hospital. This is where our Toy Drive started so many years ago. Santa needed three sleighs for this one with new toys, wireless speakers, baby items, books, Legos and even makeup for the teens in the hospital this holiday season.
Delivery #4: Kaiser Permanente Roseville Woman's and Children's Center - another Child Life group providing toys and wellness services to children in the hospital. And another big sack of gifts full of new toys, wireless speakers, baby items, books, Legos and even makeup for the teens in the hospital this holiday season.
Delivery #5: The Gathering Inn - A partner of our serving homeless families in Placer County.
Santa's final delivery was to our local homeless shelter with a sleigh full of items from their wish list including a toy chest, foam floor tiles, cots for family room and gas gift cards.
Delivery #6: Christmas Eve Bonus - The "River Rule" states that every dollar raised is used for the project. So when we learned of some related families in need, we were able to adopt all 3 with the extra donations that came in last week. Our elves set off for a late night shopping spree to fill the sleigh for 9 deserving kiddos ranging in age from 2-11.
Blankets, toys, headphones, art kits, games, stuffed animals, stockings filled with candy and even a new Spider Man bike for the little guy all delivered on Christmas Eve.
As we walked in with gifts two bright-eyed little boys said "woooow!" From an empty tree with no presents to one filled for a Christmas to remember. A very special finish to amazing project.
We say it every year, but every year it just keeps getting bigger and getter. A huge thank you to our Project Leader and board member, Tanis Liomin who tirelessly shops and coordinates for every single present! And thanks to our special delivery elves who were running all over with cars packed full of gifts!
And of course, we're so very thankful for all our supporters. Without your generous gifts, there's no way we can do this. Your donations all made a big difference this year in the lives of so many kids. Some extra special support we'd like to recognize from our sponsors Mountain Valley Petroleum and Randy Peters Catering!
Thank you for your niceness!