Becky’s Gift toy drive begins again
Starting Nov. 1, the 15th season of Becky’s Gift will be kicking off its annual toy drive for families fighting cancer during the holiday season. Thanks to the continued support of the Scripps Ranch community, the toy drive has surpassed the donation goal each year and successfully delivered joy to seven cancer centers local to San Diego: UCSD Moores Cancer Center, UCSD Bone Marrow Center, UCSD Komen Breast Cancer Infusion Center, UCSD Hillcrest Cancer Center, Kevin Cook Cancer Center, Medical Oncology Associates of San Diego, and South County Hematology Oncology.
“From our firsthand experience seeing the emotional, financial and physical difficulties of fighting cancer during the holidays, we knew we had to do our part to spread some hope and joy,” Becky’s Gift co-founder Becky Walton said.
Becky’s Gift allows parents and grandparents to put their precious energy toward healing without sacrificing the holidays. While undergoing treatment, patients are allowed to pick toys for those children in their lives, removing some of the pressure the holidays can place on adults.
“Our goal is to bring hope, warmth and joy to the people around us. It’s what makes Becky’s Gift so amazing and something I am so proud of,” said Becky’s Gift volunteer Carly Walton.
Those who donate this year may help the Becky’s Gift team surpass their goal of 1,500 toys this year.
Toy collections start Nov. 1, and the first deliveries will begin during the week of Thanksgiving. To help spread the joy, donate new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-16. Monetary donations and gift cards are also accepted.
How to help:
1) Go online. For easy and early shopping, check out the Becky’s Gift Amazon wish list on the Facebook link (facebook.com/BeckysGift). Toys will be delivered for free and straight to Becky’s Gift headquarters.
2) Drop off a new unwrapped toy at one of the three toy drive locations from Nov. 1 through Dec 15. The locations are Fitness Quest 10 North (10625 Scripps Poway Parkway), Fitness Quest 10 South (9972 Scripps Ranch Blvd.) and St. Gregory the Great Catholic School (15315 Stonebridge Parkway).
3) Become a toy drive host. If you would like to host a toy drive at work, school, or in your own neighborhood, email beckywalton@san.rr.com or christie@jacksonlane.com. Becky’s Gift will deliver flyers and a collection box to you.
For additional information on Becky’s Gift, contact Becky Walton (beckywalton@san.rr.com) or Christie Jackson (christie@jacksonlane.com).