Santa Ynez Valley pulls collectively to carry pleasure to native households by way of Toys for Tots marketing campaign

“This empowers the adults of the household to come back by and store for the issues they want as in the event that they have been in a retailer,” Flores stated. “This manner, they’ll have the enjoyment of procuring and wrapping presents for his or her households.”

In whole, the Fulfill-A-Want program assisted greater than 100 households, which Flores stated is a 20% improve from pre-pandemic years, and a slight lower from a 12 months in the past. This system itself has been in existence for 27 years.

Flores stated the occasion was successful as a result of overwhelming neighborhood participation, which included over 50 volunteers that donated 200 hours to remodeling the corridor “into a completely operational two-day boutique.” She stated members of the neighborhood additionally pulled collectively to donate reward playing cards for teenagers.

“It is vital we do not overlook our teenagers,” Flores stated, noting that just below 70 teenagers, many who’ve outgrown toys, have been additionally served this 12 months.

Individuals Serving to Individuals annually companions with the Marine Corps Reserve to distribute Toys for Tots donations and is the one official group within the Santa Ynez Valley designated to distribute presents — an obligation not taken evenly, in keeping with Individuals Serving to Individuals CEO Valerie Kissell.

“We’re in awe of the generosity of over 50 companies, neighborhood organizations, faculties, church buildings, households and people which have sponsored donation containers; and beneficiant volunteers and donors which have given their time, toys, clothes and funds,” she stated.

All year long, the company helps probably the most susceptible to navigate the toughest time of their lives, Kissell defined. “Particularly all through 2021, we’ve got distributed an unprecedented quantity of assist in rental, utility and meals help. Fulfill-A-Want goes past primary wants and nourishes the human spirit.”

Including to the spirit of giving, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donated $25,000 to this 12 months’s Toys for Tots marketing campaign, which serves households in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The marketing campaign companions with native companies, reminiscent of Individuals Serving to Individuals, the Salvation Military, Group Motion Fee, Tribal TANF and the United Boys & Women Membership, to serve households.

Whereas the Chumash On line casino Resort’s annual vacation live performance which helps to carry consciousness to the realm’s Toys for Tots marketing campaign didn’t happen this 12 months as a result of ongoing pandemic, a resort spokesman stated the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians was capable of honor its 18-year dedication to produce toys to economically deprived youngsters throughout the vacation season. This 12 months’s donation brings the tribe’s whole contributions to the marketing campaign over time to $450,000, he famous.

The trigger is considered one of significance, in keeping with Kenneth Kahn, tribal chairman for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. 

“We’re proud to keep up our long-standing partnership with a nonprofit that makes such a constructive impression on youngsters’s lives throughout the vacation season,” Kahn stated.

For extra info on make a financial or toy donation to Toys for Tots, go to www.toysfortots.org.