10TH ANNUAL OPERATION GIVE BACK TOY DRIVE
New, unwrapped toys are needed.
MORE INFO: www.ogbtoydrive.org; email: OGBtoyDrive@gmail.com
DROP OFF: Daily Drop Off is at 1113 Harkins Rd. Ste. E in Salinas
ALL-IN MONTEREY
The Holiday Cheer program focuses on the whole family. All-In works with two domestic violence shelters and homeless families. The more received, the more kindness shared. Items needed include toys, pots and pans, small appliances, socks and underwear (all sizes and genders), bath towels, grocery cards, robes, and slippers (all sizes and genders_, body lotion, beanies, and gloves. Teens are always hard to shop for: gift cards for Target or Marshalls are appreciated.
MORE INFO: allinmonterey.org
DROP OFF: Daily from 12 pm-8 pm at English Ales in Marina. Can also provide “beep-beep service” and pick up from porches. Donation barrels will be in selected locations soon, check the website for details.
BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE
Local public school libraries always count on new books from Bookshop’s annual Holiday Book Drive to increase and update their collections, but with the challenges of the past few years, they need our help more than ever. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated. The book drive will run online and in-store through December 31st. Donations will be distributed by Santa Cruz county school districts.
MORE INFO: (831) 423-0900 | bookshopsantacruz.com/hbd
DROP OFF: 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 95060
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB ADOPT A FAMILY
This special program supports Monterey County families by providing each sponsored child with two pairs of pants, 2 shirts, pajamas, a sweatshirt, undergarments, socks, shoes, a jacket, a book, and a special gift request. 350 children are currently waiting to be sponsored.
You can donate through the Johnny Wicks website at www.johnnywicks.com, at the retail store, or at the Johnny Wicks booth at the Monterey Farmers Market on Tuesdays. Johnny is also donating a percentage of candle sales throughout December to Foster’s Fosters.
MORE INFO: bgcmc.org/adopt-a-family/
FOSTER’S FOSTER
Johnny Foster of Johnny Wicks is sponsoring this campaign to bring holiday cheer to nineteen young men ages 9-17 in the foster care system. You can donate through December 24. Most requested donations include In and Out gift cards, basic items like socks, underwear, and clothing, and other gift items of interest to preteen and teen boys.
You can donate through the Johnny Wicks website at www.johnnywicks.com, at the retail store, or at the Johnny Wicks booth at the Monterey Farmers Market on Tuesdays. Johnny is also donating a percentage of candle sales throughout December to Foster’s Fosters.
MORE INFO: (831) 224-0269 | johnnywicks.com
DROP OFF: 269 Bonifacio Plaza, Monterey, 93940
JACOB’S HEART HOLIDAY DRIVE
Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services provides family-centered care that addresses the emotional, practical and financial struggles for families of children and teens during treatment, families experiencing anticipatory grief and those who are bereaved. The service area includes Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and South Santa Clara Counties. There are several holiday drives scheduled.
A Toy Christmas Drive is scheduled for December 10 at 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm. New and unwrapped toys will be collected.
MORE INFO: (831) 345-2254 or jacobsheart.org
DROP OFF: Veterans of Foreign Wars Building
960 Freedom Blvd. Watsonville, 95076
PJ’s Drive Hosted by John’s Jewelers running through December 10th. Drop off any Monday- Friday from
9:30 am- 5:00 pm.
MORE INFO: (831) 345-2254 or jacobsheart.org
DROP OFF: 42 Mariposa Ave, Watsonville, 95076
KIWANIS SANTA PROJECT
Kiwanis is working with the local fire departments to provide toys to boys and girls. Your donated toys will be delivered to children by the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel Fire Department. Donations must be made before December 13.
MORE INFO: kiwanispg.org
DROP OFF: Drop off locations are at schools and businesses in Pacific Grove. Locations on website.
MARINA POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE
Seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys suitable for children ages 0-17. Cash donations and gift cards are also accepted. Donations will also be accepted at the Marina Police Department at 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina from 8:00 am-4:00 pm daily through Dec. 16.
MORE INFO: (831) 884-1210
DROP OFF: Dec. 3 from 12-4:00 pm at Walmart, 1450 Beach Road, Marina
Dec. 10 from 12-4:00 pm at Famous Footwear 141 General Stillwell Drive, Marina
KINDNESS ROCKS 831 CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
Accepting unwrapped children’s toys for ages 0-12 through December 18.
MORE INFO: (831) 236-8567
instagram.com/kindnessrocks831
DROP OFF: Text to arrange drop off or pick up.
Also accepting donations Dec. 3 and 10 at Target in Sand City.
MONTEREY VIEJO CHAPTER
1846 E. CLAMPUS VITUS TOY DRIVE
Toys will be going to The Monterey County Regional Fire District which partnered with The Kinship Center.
DROP OFF: Check ecv1846.com for donation locations
MONTEREY COUNTY REGIONAL FIRE DISTRICT’S TOY DRIVE
Monterey County Regional Fire District’s annual Toy Drive benefits the Kinship Center of Monterey County. New, unwrapped toys as well as gift cards are accepted through Christmas Eve. You can drop your donations at any of the seven fire stations listed below or at the Kinship Center.
MORE INFO: (831) 214-3256 | MCRFD.org
DROP OFF: 19900 Portola Drive, Salinas, 93908
24281 Washington Street, Chualar, 93925
31 Laureles Grade, Salinas, 93908
8455 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, 93923
26 Via Contenta, Carmel Valley, 93924
121 Rancho San Carlos Rd., Carmel, 93923
13630 Sherman Blvd., East Garrison, 93933
Kinship Center: 124 River Rd, Salinas, 93908
MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION BLANKET AND GROCERY STORE GIFT CARD DRIVE
Donations of blankets and grocery store gift cards are being collected by MCOE’s Migrant Education Department to distribute to migrant families throughout Monterey County. Drop off through December 16th.
MORE INFO: Esther at 261-4204 or Jorge at 594-7804
DROP OFF: 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, 93901
SALVATION ARMY ADOPT A FAMILY
When you decide to Adopt-a-Family for the Holidays, your business, agency, group, or family will be matched with a low-income family from the Monterey Peninsula. As a sponsor, once you are matched with a family you will receive information regarding each child’s interests and clothing size and the special needs of the family. The deadline to adopt a family is December 6.
MORE INFO: Yesenia Lopez-Rubio at (831) 899-1335 Ext 2533
WELLSPRING CHURCH
Gifts for 12-18 year-olds are being collected to donate to Nancy’s Project. Teens and tweens are often underrepresented in holiday drives, so this is a great opportunity to help out a group in need. Nancy’s Project collects and distributes food and basic necessities to farm labor families living and working in Monterey County. For more info on Nancy’s Project, check nancysproject.org. To make arrangements to drop off your items, email Angie at angie@wellspringchurchpg.org.