San Mateo Firefighters' 'Toys For Tots' Returns To Hillsdale

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo Firefighters’ Toys for Tots drive will begin accepting donations at Hillsdale Shopping Center for another season of giving from December 8 to December 23. During this period, community members are encouraged to contribute gifts from noon to 8 p.m. at Hillsdale, off El Camino Real & Hillsdale Blvd. A donation booth will be located on the first floor of the center across from The LEGO Store.

Hillsdale is the premier source of donations to Toys for Tots in San Mateo.

“As San Mateo’s leading shopping destination, Hillsdale is proud to give back to our community by acting as a donation center for wonderful giving opportunities – like the Toys for Tots drive,” said Christine Kupczak, Marketing Director of Hillsdale Shopping Center. “We hope to build on last year’s success by collecting hundreds of toys this holiday season.”

The San Mateo Firefighters’ Toys for Tots program aims to bring joy to as many children as possible in the San Francisco Bay Area by distributing gifts during the holiday season to families in need. Beneficiaries of the program include Samaritan House and Turnbull Children’s Center in San Mateo, St. Anthony’s Church in Menlo Park, and many more.

“Hillsdale Shopping Center has always been a proud supporter of our mission and an incredible location for us to receive donations from the public,” said Angelo Santiago of the San Mateo Fire Department. “Our Hillsdale Toy Booth is a crucial part of our organization's success and a key ally in reaching our donation goals.”

The benefits of giving to Toys for Tots do not stop when the season ends. The Fire Department keeps toys and gift cards available throughout the year in the event the department encounters a special need for them when responding to emergency calls. In the past, firefighters have provided gift cards for groceries, supplies and toys for families who have lost everything in a fire.

For more information about the program, visit www.fftoysfortots.org.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: Hillsdale Shopping Center / PHOTO: San Mateo Firefighters at Hillsdale Shopping Center’s Toys for Tots donation booth, CREDIT: Hillsdale Shopping Center