Toys for Joy delivers same Christmas cheer in different, COVID-safe format [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
To adjust for the pandemic, the massive Toys for Joy charity event had to be much different this year. But not the cheer that radiated from families and volunteers alike.
Gone was the open invitation to the public, the people crowded around tables in a gymnasium to receive food and gifts, and the festival-like atmosphere that usually marks the Rock Church-hosted event. Instead, the 24th annual Christmas giveaway Saturday morning in San Diego, San Marcos, El Cajon and Bonita took the form of a drive-thru distribution to nearly 4,000 pre-registered families.
To adjust for the pandemic, the massive Toys for Joy charity event had to be much different this year. But not the cheer that radiated from families and volunteers alike.
Gone was the open invitation to the public, the people crowded around tables in a gymnasium to receive food and gifts, and the festival-like atmosphere that usually marks the Rock Church-hosted event. Instead, the 24th annual Christmas giveaway Saturday morning in San Diego, San Marcos, El Cajon and Bonita took the form of a drive-thru distribution to nearly 4,000 pre-registered families.
“Look at the joy in these families’ faces; look at the joy you see in the volunteers,” said Geniese Ligon, a long-time Toys for Joy volunteer. “We get more than they get, because we get to see passion, grace, compassion, love. And to see these families faces just breathe a little bit for the day is everything. It’s just everything.”