Annual Vallejo toy drive in its 18th year expects to serve more kids than ever

VALLEJO - The Island of Misfit Toys annual Holiday Toy Drive will distribute toys during a big party next week with hot dogs, cupcakes, hot cocoa and photos with Santa.

This year’s event will be held on Dec. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at Immersive Learning Center, at 250 Georgia St. Families can sign up in advance to receive a toy. Children must be present at the event to pick out their gift.

The Island of Misfit Toys toy drive was launched by the Solano AIDS Coalition in 2004 to help families affected by HIV/AIDS. It quickly broadened in scope to help any Solano County family in need. The event has grown steadily over the years: It served 80 families at its 2004 event and distributed toys to 1,400 kids in 2019.

Solano AIDS Coalition director Mario Saucedo is expecting an even higher demand for toys this year. Saucedo said that many Solano County families are in distress because of the economy and fallout from COVID-19. “The rents are getting so high that people cannot even cannot afford the money for the rent,” he said.

The toy drive accepts only new, unwrapped toys. “A lot of people ask me if they can bring me used toys, but the point of this is for the kids to open a new toy like everybody else,” Saucedo said. Saucedo also noted that the needs of teenagers are not being met and suggested that gift cards make good presents for teenagers.

The toy drive receives assistance from the Vallejo and Benicia fire departments. Several local marijuana dispensaries have made substantial donations to the project over the years, including Vallejo Holistic Health Center, Better Health Group, Highway 29 Healthcare and V-Town Farms.

Saucadeo said he is grateful for the many volunteers and the strong community response that makes the toy drive possible. “People can say so many things about Vallejo, but we are very together when it comes to things like this,” he said. “We care about our future and we are giving to our future, to our kids.”

The following drop off locations are accepting toy donations through Dec. 17:

• Townhouse Cocktail Lounge, 401a Georgia St, Vallejo
• Vallejo Holistic Health Center, 539 Tennessee St, Vallejo
• Better Health Group, 3611 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo
• Highway 29 Healthcare, 3737 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo
• In-Shape, 124 Lincoln Rd E, Vallejo, CA 94591
• MOD Pizza, 163 Plaza Dr, Vallejo
• Sac’s Hot Dogs, 2445 Springs Rd, Vallejo
• Tune Up Holistic Care, 236 Georgia St, Vallejo
• House of Sacred Harmony, 1918 N Texas Street, Fairfield

See the Solano Aids Coalition website for more details.
The registration form is here.
People who have accessibility issues are  encouraged to email solanoaidscoalition1@gmail.com for assistance.