Give the Gift of Toys this Holiday Season at Pacific Gardens!

Founded in 1947, Toys for Tots is a Non-Profit organization that we hear a lot about during the holiday season. Their mission statement reads: “The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.” The end goal of this program is take on toys from peoples around the nation, to store and sort these gifts, and to distribute them to children in situations that may be getting little in the way of gifts this Christmas.

For most of us, some of our fondest memories were of the time we spent with family and the gifts we were given on Christmas. For myself, the one gift I will always remember is the mini trampoline that I got. This was admittedly one of the worst gifts a parent could give to a household of two young boys with a penchant for running, jumping and climbing, but it was certainly memorable. For Lauren, she recounts receiving a talking Big Bird! Sadly, someone took it and never returned it (so if you are the person who did this, I am sure that she would love to get that back). Still, those kind of gifts are the things one never forgets; that feeling of having something that you played with constantly, and getting that one gift that was so great to see on Christmas day that you could not thank your parents enough.

Imagine now that you are a child that does not get to revel in Christmas the same way. Rather, your Christmas day is spent like just another day. You might sit envious of all the things that other kids got that you didn’t. You might be disheartened that you can’t have fun adventures with your own talking Big Bird, or jump high into the sky with your own trampoline. You might even be sad that Christmas just feels better for everyone else.

That is something that Toys for Tots looks to correct. Children really are our most valuable resource, and investing in them starts with providing them with opportunities to have some fun, stretch their imagination or even try something that they hadn’t before.

So Jordan, how can I help with Toys for Tots this year. What do I have to do, where do I have to go, and what is the cut-off date for donations? Well, I am glad that you asked! We are accepting new and unwrapped toys down here at the office! These can be anything for action figures, to board games and puzzles, to cards and everything in between. Please bring them to our leasing office during our office hours (8am-5pm Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday), and we will put them in our fun donation box! The deadline for donations is the 6th of December, which is quickly approaching.

Think how amazing it will feel to be the one to give someone their talking Big Bird moment! Think how great it will feel for kids who don’t normally get to celebrate Christmas the way that you and I did. That in itself is reason enough to donate. Plus, even if you don’t live in our community, there are other Robert Hancock and Co. properties that are also taking donations. This way, you can donate no matter which community you live in.

We ask that everyone that is able to help take some time to find a gift that they would like to donate. Christmas has always been more about giving, and we would love to have you help us in giving joy to children in our area. Even if you can’t, please spread the word! It will mean the world to us and those that Toys for Tots serves.