Hundreds of smiling Smurfs dolls lined the walls of Jewish Federation Los Angeles’ conference room this past December.
These were just some of the thousands of toys collected during the Federation’s 11th Annual Festival of Lights Toy and Book Drive benefitting children and families in need across Los Angeles. Dozens of organizations and individuals joined forces to ensure the success of the Toy and Book Drive, which ran from November 7th to December 9th, 2016.
“Working together as a community, we make the holiday season brighter for so many children and their families. These families don’t otherwise have resources to provide gifts for their children. Our toys go to sick, at-risk, and low-income youth,” said Melissa York, The Jewish Federation’s Assistant Director of Community Engagement.
The Jewish Federation’s unique position within the Los Angeles Jewish community allowed for the participation of so many partners throughout the city. “The Toy and Book Drive provides a wonderful opportunity for us to collaborate with our partners in a meaningful act of Tikkun Olam, bringing joy to so many in the holiday season,” said Alisa Finsten, Director of Community Engagement at Jewish Federation Los Angeles. “It is important for the Federation to use its role as a convener to bring people together during the holidays and throughout the year as part of our community service initiative.”
Indeed, community partnerships and motivated individuals drove each step of the citywide Toy and Book Drive.
First, collecting thousands of donated toys involved a coordinated effort among approximately 30 partner organizations and groups*, including synagogues, schools, the Federation, and other Jewish nonprofits. Each partner set up collection points across L.A. and encouraged community members in their respective circles to donate. Toy companies also contributed large donations to the Drive.
Once all the toys were collected and gathered at the Federation, members of Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy’s Community of Professional Women (CPW) joined together for an evening of toy sorting.
“I was happy to not only participate (in the sorting) once again this year but also to actively encourage others to partake in this meaningful event,” said Keren Perlmutter, Community Service Co-Chair of Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy. “I very much enjoyed sorting the toys as well as working alongside the other volunteers toward a common, worthwhile goal.”
Their participation in the Drive both ensured the smooth distribution of the toys and gave the volunteers the chance to get to know each other while working together with purpose.
For Karyn Poznick, the toy sorting event was a way to pay forward her sense of community. She moved to Los Angeles with her boyfriend just one year ago and immediately contacted the Federation in search of community. “We wanted to give back to the community that has been so warm and welcoming to us,” she said. “Volunteering at the Toy Drive was a great start.”
Similarly, Amy Schlecter, another volunteer with CPW, said she enjoyed contributing to this effort. “I really enjoyed meeting other women who wanted to take time out of their busy lives to help others. It was inspiring to see that everyone came to work,” she said. “It was also especially neat to hear about how different synagogues in the community participated in collecting the toys we were sorting, and how the Federation partners with different agencies to get the toys directly to children who will really enjoy them.”
Once the toys were sorted into their respective areas, 14 partner organizations who work directly with at-risk and sick children and families in need came to collect the toys for distribution.
Chai Lifeline, an organization that works with children diagnosed with life-threatening diseases and their families, has participated in the Drive since its inception. In addition to supporting families through a range of free professional support, crisis management services, and diverse enrichment and social programs, Chai Lifeline also provides Chanukah and birthday gifts, a toy treasure chest, and year-round activities for the children and their siblings.
“As you can imagine, our inventory can get quite low and we look forward to the Toy Drive to help replenish the shelves. Seeing the generosity of strangers always gives the office a most needed high as we face illnesses every day and death all too frequently,” said Harriet Brummer of Chai Lifeline.
Not only do the donated toys brighten the holidays for the children who receive them, but for their entire families as well. Harriet continued, “You can hear the thankfulness and emotion from the family.”
Similarly, Cedars-Sinai Hospital also provides targeted healthcare and services for children and their families through their COACH For Kids program, and uses the Toy Drive as an opportunity to enhance their services.
“Our COACH For Kids team members are thrilled to give our patients in the community these added gifts on top of the health care services already provided,” said Jon Alan Webber of COACH For Kids.
The Drive collected approximately 6400 toys and has touched the lives of countless children and families over the years.
*Thank you to all of the groups and individuals who participated in the Drive for your generous and vital contribution to this meaningful event!
Collection: Hillel at UCLA, Brentwood Country Club, Chabad at USC, DeToledo High School, Eberly Co., Jewish Federation Los Angeles – City and Valley offices, Temple Akiba, Long Beach Hillel, Temple Beth Am/Pressman Academy, Zimmer Museum, Beth Jacob, Valley Beth Shalom, Wilshire Boulevard Temple – Hebrew School East and West Campuses, Kelly Toy, IzBits Creatives, Maimonides Academy, Congregation Tikvat Jacob Beth Torah, Temple Etz Chaim, Westside JCC, YALA, Ilan Ramon, Congregation Or Ami, Occidental College, Temple of the Arts, Stila Cosmetics, Hillside Memorial, Hillel at USC, and El Caballero Country Club.
Sorting: Sylvia Weisz Women’s Philanthropy’s Community of Professional Women
Distribution: 1736 Family Crisis Center, A Safe Place, Inc., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Chai Lifeline Children Healthcare Services, Friendship Circle-Robertson and Studio City, HaMercaz, Hollenbeck Police Business Council, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, Lola Levoy – Working Dreams, People Assisting the Homless (PATH), SOVA, Tomchei Shabbos, and Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.
