Deadline Approaches For Needy Alameda Families to Sign Up For Kids' Christmas Gifts

ALAMEDA, CA — Alameda families who need help covering holiday expenses can receive toys and gift cards for their children this month through the Alameda Firefighters Toy Program.

The program is a partnership between the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth, and their Families (ACCYF), Alameda Food Bank, Alameda Red Cross Youth, Alameda firefighters, and other community organizations. Families can sign up to receive age-appropriate toys for children aged 0-12 and gift cards for youth aged 13-16 at the Alameda Food Bank.

The deadline for signing up to receive toys is December 14.

Families who wish to donate to the program have until December 16 to place new, unwrapped toys in boxes placed at more than three dozen sites around the city (see list below). Organizers of the program say they especially need crafts, sports balls, and other items for older children.

Donation boxes are available at the Alameda Unified School District’s office and every school site, as well as:

· Alameda Fire Dept. Station 1, 2401 Encinal Ave.

· Alameda Fire Dept. Station 2, 635 Pacific Ave.

· Alameda Fire Dept. Station 3, 1703 Grand St.

· Alameda Fire Dept. Station 4, 2595 Mecartney Rd.

· Alameda City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave.

· Alameda Police Department, 1555 Oak St.

· Alameda Free Library, 1550 Oak St.

· Alameda Recreation & Park Dept., 2226 Santa Clara Ave.

· Alameda Municipal Power, 2000 Grand St.

· Alameda Chamber of Commerce, 2215-A South Shore Dr. (South Shore Center)

· Alameda Hospital (Use Oak St. Entrance)

· Bank of Marin, 2130 Otis Dr. and 1416 Park St.

· Child Unique Montessori, 2226 Encinal Ave.

· Coffee & Tea Traders, 883 Island Dr. (Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center)

· First Community Bank, Nob Hill Foods, 2531 Blanding Ave.

· Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Ave.

· McGee’s Bar & Grill, 1645 Park St.

· Rising Star Montessori, 1421 High St.

· Toy Safari, 1401 Park St.

· Tucker's Ice Cream, 1349 Park St.

The Alameda Welfare Council, Alameda Community Fund, Rotary Club of Alameda, Bay Ship & Yacht, Bank of Marin, First Community Bank, Alameda Police Foundation, ACI, and Tuckers Ice Cream have provided Target gift cards for teenagers.

“Once again, I am amazed and inspired by the generosity that Alamedans show toward their fellow community members,” says Superintendent Sean McPhetridge. “I hope that all Alameda families who could use a helping hand this season sign up for this program, as well as explore the programs offered at the food bank.”

-Announcement from Alameda Unified School District; Image via Pixabay

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