The holidays are here, with toy drives and campaigns to make sure everyone has a happy season. Here are some ideas of where to drop off new toys or spend a few hours volunteering. Plus, some updates from local nonprofits and places to shop or dine where at least a portion of proceeds benefit others. It’s time to give back!

Where to donate?

Toys for Tots at fire stations

On Monday, Dec. 4, San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) kicks off the 2023 Toys for Tots toy drive with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. SDFD has participated as a toy drop-off point supporting Toys for Tots for the past 20 years. All SDFD facilities including fire stations and several lifeguard stations will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys and books through Thursday, Dec. 14.

For more than 75 years, Toys for Tots has provided happiness and hope to children during the holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers offer children a positive memory that will last a lifetime.

Miracle Babies toy drive for hospitalized infants’s families

Local nonprofit, Miracle Babies is spreading holiday cheer with a toy drive to serve families with hospitalized infants. Now through December 20th, Miracle Babies will be accepting donations of new unwrapped toys for siblings of babies in the NICU. New toys for infants to age 16 will be accepted at the Miracle Babies office as well as several collection sites in San Diego. Gifts may also be purchased from their Amazon Wishlist and shipped directly to the Miracle Babies office (8745 Aero Dr. Unit 308, San Diego, CA 92123).

Families will be able to visit “Santa’s Workshop,” at the Miracle Babies headquarters from December 13th through 20th and choose three new donated toys to wrap and gift it to siblings of the baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Miracle Babies is working with hospitals and social workers to identify families in need and schedule shopping appointments to help minimize contact and provide an exclusive shopping experience.

Boys to Men gift giving drive

Through Dec. 15, support Boys to Men Mentorin’s “Hope for the Holidays” annual gift giving drive. Purchase something off the organization’s Amazon wish list o make a donation to the program benefitting underestimated young men of promise.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will make surprise appearances at San Diego county middle and high school campuses to give away the presents during weekly mentoring circles. Bearing colorfully wrapped gifts, these ambassadors of holiday hope and cheer will bring the magic of the “Hope for the Holidays” campaign full-circle: Brightening the lives of underestimated, often fatherless boys, who are showing up weekly and striving daily to become the good men they want to be.

Sharia’s Closet clothing drive

Sharia’s Closet is cohosting a Clothing and Necessities Drive with Financial Accounting Services! Donate clothing, shoes, toiletries, and more at two drop-off locations in San Diego. Drop off items at 9255 Towne Centre Drive #805 through Dec. 15. Looking to get connected with Sharia’s Closet? Email [email protected] or visit shariascloset.org to learn more about getting involved and making an impact in the community!

Blanket drive at GEM coffee

GEM Coffee is supporting the amazing work of the Chicano Federation by serving as one of the toy and blanket drop-off locations for the Federation’s toy drive. They are helping collect toys, blankets, food, diapers, books for children and families. The collection drive at GEM will be available until December 15th.

Where to volunteer?

Mama’s Kitchen

Mama’s Kitchen strives to provide nutritional support to San Diego residents at risk of malnutrition due to critical illnesses such as HIV, cancer, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Together with hundreds of volunteers, businesses, and community supporters, Mama’s Kitchen strives to help clients stay healthy, preserve their dignity, and keep their families together by providing, medically tailored home-delivered meals and nutrition education – all at no cost.

Find out more about meal delivery, kitchen and staging or phone/office volunteer opportunities at https://www.mamaskitchen.org/volunteer/opportunities/.

Sirviendo a las personas mayores

Do you want to be the highlight of someone’s day? How about their whole week? Even though one hour may not seem like much to you, that hour means the world to our seniors. Just a few hours of your time is priceless to the seniors we serve every day. There’s something meaningful for you to do at Serving Seniors and your time and energy are appreciated by everyone. Visit https://servingseniors.org/get-involved/volunteer.html para más información.

Banco de Alimentos de San Diego

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and North County Food Bank chapter comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 44 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 400,000 people per month in San Diego County. The Food Bank provides nutritious food to individuals and families in need in communities throughout San Diego County. Learn more about volunteering at https://sandiegofoodbank.org/volunteer/?gad_source=1.

Hands On San Diego

Hands On San Diego provides a compilation of volunteer opportunities in the area. Scroll through their volunteer options to see how every skill type can be utilized to serve the community. https://www.handsonsandiego.org/search.

Fundraising events

Beer tasting for Model Railroad Museum

Ales N’ Rails, the most festive fundraiser in town, is just around the corner on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 6-9:30 p.m. at 1649 El Prado. Tickets are $40 & are available NOW at https://tickets.sdmrm.org/e/alesnrails23/tickets This event is for ages 21+ only. Tickets also be available for $45 at the door but may sell out.

Bivouac Ciderworks, Pizza Port Brewing Co., Chula Vista Brewery, El Cid Brewing Co., Athletic Brewing Co., Barley and Sword Brewing Co., and Burning Bear Brewing Co. will all have beer available to enjoy. The festivities also include live music, a raffle with prizes from businesses all around San Diego, and an ugly sweater contest.

Jingle Belle Family Cruises

Gather with friends and family – and Santa Claus! – aboard the majestic William D. Evans sternwheeler for Jingle Belle Family Cruises, a San Diego tradition on the sparkling waters of Mission Bay. Guests can enjoy joyful carolers, photos with Santa, cookie decorating, a balloon artist, face painter, and tasty holiday treats and libations including hot cocoa and an espresso coffee bar. Cruises depart from the Bahia and Catamaran resorts, December 21-25. Reservations are required. The cost is $45 per person, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Mama’s Kitchen, a San Diego nonprofit that provides medically tailored meals to individuals and families at risk of malnutrition due to critical illnesses. Book tickets at https://www.bahiahotel.com/jingle-belle-cruise.

Ugly sweater décor at Nason’s Beer Hall

“Deck The Halls” at Nason’s Beer Hall with Tipsy Elves until January 1, 2024. This season, in partnership with popular ugly sweater company Tipsy Elves, Nason’s Beer Hall is once again decking the halls with the jolliest, brightest, over-the-top décor. Join in on the festive merriment with frosty beers, jolly cocktails, and tasty bites. A portion of proceeds from the three seasonal signature Tipsy Elves cocktails — Tipsy and Toasted, Tipsy and Bright and Extra Tipsy — will also benefit the San Diego Food Bank.

Philanthropic news

Local brand donates for babies’ first Christmas

San Diego-based baby brand Infantino believes in the power of a strong community, and knows that children and families are the future, so they have made a sizable donation of toys and parenting products to the Toys for Tots San Diego chapter, valued at over $14,000.

From sensory toys to rattles, teethers and bath sets, Infantino has donated over 800 products to ensure that babies and families in San Diego have gifts to open on their first Christmas.

Cars for Kids donates $75k to kids’ mental health services

The original Cars for Kids (not to be confused with 1-877-Kars-4-Kids) has donated $75,000 to date to the San Diego Center for Children since the beginning of their partnership in February 2022. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in all 50 states, Cars for Kids’ charity car donation program is the only one of its kind where 100% of the net proceeds go to children. In addition to supporting a great cause, donors receive the highest possible tax deduction and a $50 gift.

The San Diego Center for Children has built a first-of-its-kind comprehensive continuum of nationally accredited mental health services aimed primarily at giving access to underserved and at-risk youth in the region. The Center hascreated a unique program where families have access to screenings and services regardless of their ability to pay. The Center empowered 11,037 youth and family members last year, with 95% of youth avoiding psychiatric hospitalization.

USS Midway Foundation donates to Feeding San Diego

Alimentando a San Diego, a partner food bank of Feeding America, has received a Pillars of Freedom grant from the USS Midway Foundation to continue its work of providing meals at no-cost to the military community. The $25,000 grant will help fund the organization’s Feeding Heroes initiative, which encompasses programs that meet low-income military families and veterans in convenient, comfortable locations to provide free, nutritious food. By operating its own direct program sites and providing food to agency partners embedded in the military community, Feeding San Diego is directly impacting members of the community of 115,000 active-duty service members, as well as the 260,000 military dependents, stationed in San Diego County.

Many military families aren’t eligible for food assistance programs, including public benefits such as CalFresh, the California version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because the housing allowance many military families receive to help make housing more affordable is considered income. Unfortunately, this additional income disqualifies many families from federal food assistance programs. To help support these families, the Feeding Heroes initiative reaches military and veteran communities through multiple programs operated by Feeding San Diego.

North Island Credit Union partners with USS Midway

North Island Credit Union has again partnered with USS Midway Museum, supporting its “No Child Left Ashore” scholarship fund to increase access to onboard programs for children from underserved communities. Through the partnership, the credit union will provide $15,000 to underwrite costs for 650 students from Title 1 schools across San Diego to attend Midway STEM Education Onboard Field Trip experiences.