As the calendar gets closer to Christmas, more and more charities and community organizations will start their annual holiday drives.
One of those organizations that started is the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. The program annually collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to needy children. Toys are collected from October through December. In Chula Vista, toys will be distributed to less fortunate children in the community from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 15.
“We feel participating in this program will send a happy and healthy message to some kids that are less fortunate,” said Elizabeth Kovar, recreation supervisor at the Loma Verde Community Center, one of the collection and distribution sites in Chula Vista. “And these toys might possibly assist them in being a more productive citizen.”
Toys can be dropped off at any of the Toys for Tots collection bins throughout Chula Vista and National City.
In Chula Vista, the Marine Core League Detachment oversees the Toys for Tots program.
Once toys are collected, the respective sites will then donate the toys to the Marine Corps’ nonprofit Toys for Tots Foundation. Based on the number of applications received, Toys for Tots then sends new toys to their distribution sites for distribution.
Families wanting their children to participate in the program needed to apply by Friday’s deadline with proof of income.
Kovar said as of now she does not know how many applications were submitted because she hasn’t counted them yet but she said as of Monday afternoon they have received a lot of applications. She said Loma Verde Community Center typically receives a lot of applications every year because the center is located in a lower-income community.
In previous years, Kovar said Loma Verde Community Center has received various toys for donations such as bicycles, books, stuffed animals and board games.
Kovar said the city’s participation in the collection and distribution of toys shows that the city really cares for the community it serves.
“We’re here to support everyone including people that are having (financial) struggles during the holidays,” she said.
“It just shows that we support everyone in the community and the city of Chula Vista is willing to collect toys for those who can’t afford it.”
Bin locations include:
•Loma Verde Community Center, 1410 Loma Lane
•Chula Vista City Hall, 276 Fourth Ave
• Otay Lakes Dental Care, 945 Otay Lakes Road Suite H
•Thompson Center for Dentistry, 688 Old Telegraph Canyon Road
•Navy Federal Credit Union, 1450 Eastlake Parkway Suite 801
•Security Public Storage, 470 C St.
• Jersey Mike’s Eastlake, 2315 Otay Lakes Road #304
•Jersey Mike’s Otay Ranch, 2015 Birch Road #2001
•Villa Bonita Senior Living, 3434 Bonita Road
• Point Mortgage Corporation, 864 Amena Court
•Chula Vista Marina & RV Resort, 460 Sandpiper Way
•Navy Federal Credit Union, Bonita Point Plaza 752 Otay Lakes Road
•Smart Self Storage of Eastlake, 814 Miller Drive
• Security Public Storage, 471 C St.
• Evans Tire and Service Center, 948 Broadway Ave.
•State Farm Insurance Carlos Solorzano Agency, 1105 Broadway Suite 202
•Bernardo Vasquez State Farm Agency, 460 Third Ave. Suite A.
•NuYo Frozen Yogurt, 2127 Olympic Parkway #1009
In National City
• Just Go Lift, 901 Coolidge Ave.
•National 54 Self Storage, 132 W. 33rd St.
•Evans Tire and Service Centers, 3009 Highland Ave.
•Harborview Condominium, 819 D Ave.
•South Bay Volkswagen, 3131 National City Blvd.
•Solar Eclipse Window Tinting, 507 G Ave.
•Friendship Developmental Services. 2425 Hoover Ave.
•T-Mobile, 3030 Plaza Bonita Road Space 2075
•12th Street Apartments LLC, 45 East 12th St.
