Families: Generous South Valley residents make sure all kids get holiday toys

Toys 4 Our Own program donates up to 7,000 gifts for local children in need

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By Marty Cheek

‘Tis the season for giving in the South Valley. With donations of new toys and games pouring in from generous residents, underprivileged local youth will wake up on Christmas morning to find Santa did not forget them after all.

Several community organizations launched holiday toy drives to spread festive cheer to less fortunate children across the region. Cecelia Ponzini, founder of the South Valley’s nonprofit Edward Boss Prado Foundation, spearheaded a heartwarming effort to collect and distribute thousands of toys to less fortunate children through the organization’s “Toys 4 Our Own” program.

Ponzini started the annual toy drive initiative 10 years ago after realizing many local families struggled to provide gifts for their children during the holidays.

“I thought of families who needed toys for the holidays who couldn’t afford it,” she said.

What began with just seven donation barrels at locations such as the CalFire station on Monterey Road has now exploded into a program with more than 50 drop-off spots across the region. Ponzini has placed the festive collection barrels at fire stations, Starbucks coffee shops, schools and various businesses where community members can donate new, unwrapped toys.

“I told [CalFire] what I wanted to do, and they said, ‘Absolutely!’” recalled Ponzini of her first request for a barrel site in 2013. All local CalFire location still remain involved today.

All the toys collected go to brighten the lives of children in need living throughout Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin, Hollister and South San Jose, she emphasized. Every elementary school in Morgan Hill receives gifts to distribute to parents of families facing financial hardships. Toys 4 Our Own also provides toys and warm clothes at its Cecelia’s Closet site to families who are not in the local schools.

“We’ve just had so many families who are off-the-grid that we know, so they’ll come Saturday (Dec. 16) for their gifts for their children,” Ponzini explained about the culminating gift distribution event.

Leading up to the gift give-away is a tradition Ponzini started several years ago — an annual brunch. Prominent community members enjoyed food at the Dec. 14 event and then pitch in carrying bags of gifts and clothes to the vehicles lined up outside her home.

“A representative from every elementary school in Morgan Hill will come,” she said. “They go back to the schools and set up the toys at the schools for the families. The parents select two to three toys for each child.”

In total this year, the Edward Boss Prado Foundation expects to hand out between 5,000 and 7,000 donated toys across South Valley communities.

“I think that people really want to do what I do, but they just don’t have the time or the know-how,” remarked Ponzini about the monumental undertaking.

Still, Ponzini said she could not continue the ever-expanding program without her dedicated volunteers. That includes her husband, Gary, who assists regularly.

The effort not only provides toys, but also other holiday necessities some families lack access to.

“We gave out 100 live five-foot Christmas trees with a water stand and balls, and some of the families had never had a Christmas tree before,” Ponzini said. The kids were so excited that they had a live Christmas tree that smelled good.”

As economic instability persists locally, Ponzini has witnessed firsthand through her toy drive the deepening struggles impacting South Valley families. She says the annual gift distribution event brings out long lines of parents hoping to secure a few cherished presents for their children during the most wonderful time of the year.

To make this holiday season a little brighter for about 1,250 financially struggling families, the Mt. Madonna YMCA has been working overtime with its partners to collect donated toys and games for distribution through its House of Toys program.

“This year was the biggest need we’ve seen so far in young families that are coming in for toys,” said Andrea Nicolette, Mt. Madonna YMCA’s executive director. “The cost of living has gone up, and it’s difficult for them to afford toys and gifts for their children. I see a significantly higher need this year.”

The YMCA has placed about 30 festive donation barrels at local businesses while also receiving toy contributions from numerous community partners. In total, Nicolette estimates about 5,000 toys will be given out.

Distribution is handled through the YMCA’s partnership with the Neon Exchange in downtown Gilroy. For three days, the gorgeous event venue is transformed into a fantastic toy land. Parents browse rows of long tables stocked with toys and games, with help from “elf” docent volunteers who assist in carrying selections and gift wrapping. The special care provides dignity and holiday magic.

“The parents get to select what toy they think is best for their kids. And then we wrap it really fast so they don’t have to wait too long in line,” Nicolette said. “It’s a special feeling when you see the parents happy to get a gift for their children.”

Key organizers fueling the community-wide toy drive include After-Hours Rotary, St. Joseph’s Family Center, the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, property manager R.A.C. Services, and local philanthropist Toni Bowles. The businesswoman opens up her event venue while also referring families from her nonprofit to the YMCA’s House of Toys.

Gilroy schools help preregister the neediest students and families. House of Toys opens for three days to any South Valley family lacking essential holiday resources. All children also receive a donated book to take home.

When supplies ran low this year, the Gilroy Fire Department dropped off a fresh bounty of toys while the Santa Clara County Probation Department and several businesses also contributed goods or volunteer hours.

The massive undertaking is driven each holiday season by Leo Khooshabeh, a dedicated YMCA employee who coordinates the logistics. “He starts it, he picks up all the barrels and drops them off, he registers people as they come in,” Nicolette explained about his integral role.

Holiday magic filled downtown Gilroy at the new pop-up park by the Center for the Arts Saturday, Dec. 9. More than 200 jubilant community members gathered for the Fifth Annual Christmas Giveaway led by Councilmember Fred Tovar and the Gilroy Fire Department.

The “Santa to the Rescue” festive event brought joy to local families through toy distribution, various playful activities, food, music and even visits with the jolly toymaker from the Arctic.

“This year’s Christmas Extravaganza exceeded all expectations, leaving indelible memories for families across Gilroy,” Tovar said. “The true highlight was witnessing the sheer delight as hundreds of children selected toys of their choice, turning dreams into reality.”

Festivities kicked off with Santa’s grand entrance by fire truck, eliciting smiles and laughter from attendees. Holiday whimsy continued with snow-themed decor, a Grinch piñata filled with sweets, and nearly 400 donated Gilroy Gardens tickets raffled off.

Yet the main attraction remained the hundreds of toys donated for children to take home. Volunteers assisted families in choosing gifts tailored to each child’s interest from options like board games, stuffed animals, Legos and more.

The triumphant event was made possible thanks to resident sponsors such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Tempo Kitchen & Bar. Additionally, the Mt. Madonna YMCA and Gilroy Police Department volunteered time and resources.

Councilmember Tovar expressed immense gratitude for all community members and groups whose collective efforts shaped the toy giveaway’s success. “Your kindness and support formed the foundation of this enchanting night!” he proclaimed. “The spirit of our community truly shines through when we come together to make the holidays a little brighter for these children.”