For Immediate Release

Contact:
Officer Dan Smith
Redwood City Fire Department
(650) 780-7601

Toy and Book Drive Officially Kicks-Off the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy, happiness, family, and friendship. Unfortunately, there are local kids and families in need, who don't have the opportunity to share in the spirit of the holidays.

The Redwood City Police and Fire Departments, Police Activities League, and Parks Recreation and Community Services, have teamed up with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, San Carlos Fire, Woodside Fire, and the CARON Project to bring the Christmas Toy and Book Drive and the holiday spirit right to the doorstep of many needy families. With help from the Fair Oaks Community Center and a corps of volunteers, this annual event has become a welcome tradition in the Redwood City community. But it can only happen with the community's help.

• Businesses: help by placing donation barrels at their sites
  
  
• Individuals and families: help by donating new, unwrapped toys and books
  
  
• Volunteers: join the fun 'wrapping parties' where everyone takes part in preparing the gifts for the kids, from gift wrapping, to 'quality control,' to helping with food and drinks. Corporate help can be any of the above, or a monetary donation.

Last year, over 50 local businesses filled 60 donation barrels with over 12,000 toys and books, and provided them to about 500 needy families. Deliveries take place with Santa Claus in a police car or a fire engine arriving at the home to hand out the presents, giving the kids a thrill they'll long remember. One thing that makes this program special is the collection and distribution of new books as well as toys. Each child served receives two gifts, a book, a stuffed animal, and several stocking stuffers, all of which bring that holiday sparkle to their eyes.

Donations of toys and books may be made at any collection barrel, or at City Hall, the Police Department, the Main Library, or any fire station. Businesses, individuals, or groups wishing to get involved can get more information at www.toydriverwc.com

Here are some upcoming dates for Toy Drive events:

Wednesday, December 5 - Fundraiser Party 6PM - 9PM
ARYA Global Cuisine 855 Middlefield Road sponsored by Sequoia Realty Services and W. L. Butler Construction
20% of the evening's revenue will be donated to the Toy Drive. Also drop off unwrapped toys at the restaurant

Wednesday, December 12 - Wrapping Party 5PM - 8PM
Red Morton Community Center 1120 Roosevelt Avenue

Entire week of December 17 - donation drop off
Peet's Coffee 2600 Broadway
During the week of December 17 Peet's will be collecting monetary donations
for the Toy Drive. They will also provide free coffee at our Wrapping Party. Also drop off unwrapped toys at the restaurant.

Here is contact information for the key partners in the 2012 Toy & Book Drive:

Tom Cronin, PAL Director
650.556.1650 Ext. 11
TomCronin@redwoodcitypal.com

Officer Dan Smith, Redwood City Police Department
650.780.7601
Dsmith@redwoodcity.org

Justin Velasquez, Redwood City Fire Department
650.780.7400
jvelasquez@redwoodcity.org

Deputy Pedro Miqueo,
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
650.257.3406
pmiqueo@smcgov.org

Visit Redwood City's award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org or information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City's email newsletter and other City documents by visiting www.redwoodcity.org/egov.

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