City leaders, the Rock Church and thousands of volunteers united Saturday to spread the holiday cheer: giving toys to thousands of San Diego children.
The efforts were all part of the Rock Church’s 20th annual “Toys for Joy” drive, which has been collecting donations for families in need.
At Lincoln High School on Saturday those donations – toys, meals and clothing – were distributed to about 23,000 local kids and their families.
“We have thousands of people helping thousands of people. [It’s a] symbol of the unity that can happen when people work together to serve other people,” Pastor Miles McPherson, of The Rock Church, told NBC 7.
McPherson said he’s grateful for the generous donations from San Diegans that make this event possible year after year. The Rock Church partners with local schools, businesses, community organizations and thousands of volunteers to make Toys for Joys happen.
“We have 24,000 toys, we have a bag of food for every person that walks out – clothes they can take home as well,” he added. “We’re also going to feed them and bless them –bless every part of their life.”
The festive event was attended by many city leaders, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer and San Diego Police Department Chief Shelley Zimmerman. They both manned a table full of toys and distributed the gifts to children.
“It’s great to be out here – to see the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Faulconer.
“This is the best day,” added Zimmerman. “All the community members coming together to make Christmas for so many families that probably wouldn’t have one – this is what it’s all about.”
