Hollister
– San Benito County Youth Services is donating more than 100
toys and gifts to some of the community’s neediest this season, an
effort that organizers put together in only a few weeks.
Hollister – San Benito County Youth Services is donating more than 100 toys and gifts to some of the community’s neediest this season, an effort that organizers put together in only a few weeks.
“We’re lucky to be able to do this since it happened so fast,” organizer Mark Steele said. “Time was sort of working against us.”
The primary focus of Youth Services is allotting grants to local nonprofits that serve children or educational purposes. This is the first year the group has put together something like a toy drive. Steele said the idea came to him after he attended a friend’s birthday party.
“I had eaten some really rich cake and stayed up until 2 in the morning thinking of all the things we had done this year,” he said. “We gave money to Emmaus House and Chamberlains’ to help with the infrastructure and the buildings, but I started thinking we should give something directly to the kids. And what is going to put a smile on a child’s face this time of year more than toys at Christmas?”
Steele spoke with friends who immediately were excited about the prospect of “Project Christmas Child,” and in just a couple weeks organized a fundraising dinner party at his own house, with friends donating $100 each to purchase gifts.
“We wanted to get a hall or restaurant, of course, but it was just too close to the holidays. Everything was already booked,” Steele said. “Even though it was just at my house, we never had to write out one invitation. Everyone was so excited.”
The event raised more than $2,000 to purchase bikes, dolls, sneakers, books and more from Kmart, where employees wrapped the items for free. On Wednesday, gifts were delivered to children at Emmaus House and Chamberlains’ Children’s center.
“The kids here are so excited,” said Peggy Huffstutler, program/house manager for Emmaus House. “And the moms are relieved because they know at least their children will have a real Christmas this year.”
There are currently eight women staying at Emmaus House with 12 children ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years, Huffstutler said. For the past few weeks locals have been dropping by with donations of food for Christmas dinner and gifts. This will be the first Christmas the women and children’s center has been open.
“We have tamales, lamb, turkey, ham – it’s incredible,” she said. “I’m not surprised that the community is being so supportive. They’ve been supporting us for 10 years before we even opened. But for so many people to step up at Christmas is really wonderful.”
Gifts will also be distributed to the local homeless shelter – popular requests included jackets, jeans, shoes, portable CD players and CDs, said Leigh Dietz, who helped organize the event and serves as the shelter manager.
“The buses don’t run on Christmas, so we’re letting them sleep in instead of getting them into town at 6am,” she said. “Then they’re going to have a nice big breakfast and open gifts; it’s going to be a real Christmas. … These folks and the ones at Emmaus House and Chamberlains’, they’re real people just like you and me. They deserve to have a nice Christmas.”
Steele said he hopes the program is able to expand next year with a little more time to plan.
“There really is such a need in this community. We’ve already been approached by other agencies for help,” he said.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
