Last week Safe & Sound hosted our annual Holiday Toy Store, providing gifts for over 500 children over a three-day window.
This annual initiative has been in effect for many years and grows year over year. Having received generous donations from individuals and businesses, we built a magical toy store within the Safe & Sound office in Bayview, with toys, books and clothes for children of different ages. Parents and caregivers are then invited to book a shopping appointment, leaving their children in the therapeutic playroom if they wish, so that they can take the time to select the perfect gift for their child.
We stock the store with items we have heard are popular with the children and families we work with throughout the year, to make sure there is an appealing selection on offer. However, we do not presume to know what each child wants or give them presents directly, and instead allow the parents the autonomy and independence to choose, wrap and present their own children with gifts.
All of this is made possible with a team of volunteers, staff and donors – it’s a big undertaking to secure enough inventory, set up the store, decorate the entranceway, and then staff the store during the browsing time to enable a stress-free and efficient process for the shoppers. But it’s so worth it to see the magic of the festive season come to life for the children and ease some of the pressure for their parents and caregivers.
This year the store had a special helper on its third and final day when Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie attended to see the work we have been doing in our community. It also gave us the chance to discuss with him some of the broader systems change we advocate for to support families in San Francisco.
The holiday toy store initiative is entirely funded and stocked by generous donations. If you would like to support us this holiday season so we can continue our vital work and give even more offerings next year, please donate today.
