Every month has its own group of awareness titles, and December is no different. Among the many different concepts and minority groups that it acknowledges, Safe Toys and Gifts is an important one as December brings much gift-giving.
The organization Prevent Blindness, along with other similar organizations gave December the title because this month is when gift-giving is at its peak, and also because it is when toy injury rates are at its peak. Donating to a local toy drive during the holiday season is a great way to give back to the community.
During December, local toy drives being hosted are very common, but once December became Safe Toys and Gifts month, the number of toy drives increased. There are various factors as to why, including that people were more aware of the fact that some families are less fortunate than others ,but this shouldn’t hinder their abilities to receive gifts.
Also, the holidays lighten up the mood. It is reasonable to assume that people are much more inclined to donate during the Christmas season because of the overall joyful mood in the community.
The holiday season promotes not just gift-giving to friends and family, but also to those in need. Toy drives are a great way to help out especially during December with Christmas just around the corner.
The ANHS Spanish Honors Society is holding their own safe toy and clothing drive this month to give back to the Latin American community, not just locally, but in Spanish-speaking countries as well.
Verona Capretta-Rubalcava (11), a member of Spanish Honors Society says, “We are planning on taking the donations to Ana’s Cleaning so they can distribute them to families in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru and many other Spanish-speaking countries. It is also an organization that emphasizes that all donations should be safe and harmless.”
There are over 30 toy drives in Orange County alone for you to donate to with aims to boost the holiday spirit and bring joy to families in need, so there are lots of opportunities for everybody to give back to their community whether it’s through school or not.
A notable toy drive is Toys for Tots, which helps supply from low income families with gifts for Christmas. In 1947, the Marine Corps created it and it still supports thousands of children today. To participate, visit their website toysfortots.org to send toys virtually and physically.
“I think having an awareness month for donating toys is especially important during this season,” says Capretta-Rubalcava, “because it can really help out the kids who don’t have enough to receive gifts and to celebrate Christmas as well as we do. So having a month that promotes it can really encourage people to step up and participate.”
Since December has been made the month of safe toys and gifts, our society has created, supported and participated in tons of organizations, drives and boosting of Christmas spirit to those in need, and hopefully those numbers will only keep growing as we move forward.
