Oakland Nonprofits Host Toy Giveaways for Community

The Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District's After School program in East San Jose successfully organized a holiday donation drive, spearheaded by coordinator Daniel Patton, to provide gifts and essential items to low-income families and unhoused residents, including 20 bicycles. Meanwhile, the 3rd Annual Family Volunteer Day at Waynedale UMC brought together over 70 volunteers to pack over 11,000 meals for Ukrainian refugees, highlighting the spirit of community service during the holiday season. Opportunities for giving back also exist through Volunteer New York!, which offers various ways to support local nonprofits, such as helping the Sharing Shelf Teen Boutique address clothing insecurity. In Oakland, the nonprofit Lulu's House is hosting its first toy giveaway with the involvement of at-risk youth and adult offenders, who see this as a way to atone for their past actions. This initiative reflects a commitment to community healing and personal redemption. Collectively, these stories underscore a widespread effort to support those in need during the holidays.