NY Toy Drive for California

On November 8, 2018 wildfires swept throughout the west coast specifically California. It continues to destroy hundreds of thousands of acres, buildings that once stood tall are being reduced to nothing but ash, towns that were once populated by homes and businesses now stand deserted and 11,713 homes (and counting) are being obliterated, leaving families displaced with no possessions, just memories. As well as losing their belongings, many out there are either mourning the loss of their loved ones as the death toll is at 79, while steadily rising, or wondering frantically where there loved ones could be as there are still over 600 people unaccounted for.

After my family was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and being only ten years old, I empathize with all of the hardworking families out there, but mostly their kids. When the hurricane hit my house, I lost all of my possessions. During this time six years ago, several foundations, families and corporations donated to my family, giving us all the necessary supplies we would need. However, we’re in a time from that is considered the holiday season, so many people found it in their hearts to give back and donate to a great cause. Therefore, as I heard about the heartbreaking events occurring in California, I decided I wanted to give back.

With the help of everyone here in New York, despite the distance, we can make an amazing difference! I will be accepting donations and will then be purchasing toys through Amazon and/or Walmart and shipping them out to the ABC7 News Station in Los Angeles, for their Spark of Love Toy Drive. No donation is too small, everything counts. Even one dollar can go towards making a huge difference in a child’s holiday season. Coming from personal experience, the generosity from strangers’ donations made a huge difference on my life during that time, and you know what? It’s time to pay it forward.