Holiday Toy Drive - A Tremendous Success
It was the teens at the BACC that made it possible
Others were helping point the way
Representing Agencies introduced at the Holiday Celebration
Dylan Coyne and Daniel Jennings sharing their appreciation for the church and the agencies that take care of so many children
On Sunday December 6th, at the Santa Clara Convention Center the Bay Area Christian Church (BACC) completed its 2nd annual Toy Drive at their “Holiday Celebration” Service. The “Holiday Celebration” Service has become a community attraction drawing thousands to this annual event. The inspirational message of hope combined with superior performances of contemporary songs as well as seasonal favorites provided the perfect back drop for the Toy Drive. In a demonstration of the spirit of Christmas, those in attendance brought thousands of gifts for the Bay Area’s children currently in foster or adoption care. Because so many families in the BACC have fostered and adopted children it is not surprising this special group of people wholeheartedly embraced this opportunity to give. The ambitious goal of 2500 gifts was easily exceeded with gifts of toys, cash and gift cards.
The Toy Drive this year was organized and run by the teen ministry of the BACC. Those arriving at the Santa Clara Convention Center were greeted by teens in red shirts with BACC on the front and signs directing people where to find the containers to drop off their gifts. These same teens were on hand to help organize and load the toys and gifts for the foster and adoption agencies on hand to receive these gifts. “I want to make sure to take pictures because our people wouldn’t believe how many teenagers you have working together on this”, said Judy Richgels of the Aspiranet Adoption Network.
In addition to officials from Aspiranet Family & Adoption Services, Rebekah Children's Services, A Better Way Foster/Adoption Program and The Bill Wilson Center: Adopt A Family Program were brought on stage and introduced by BACC teens, Dylan Coyne and Daniel Jennings. Dylan and Daniel expressed heartfelt thanks for the great work our representing agencies do for so many children as well as the generosity of the BACC in providing so many gifts. Dylan has an adopted sibling and Daniel was himself adopted and shared memories about how special it was for him while in the foster care system to receive gifts at Christmas. A few hundred toys will also be donated to the San Francisco Aids Hospital.
“You keep thanking us for coming, we want to thank you for inviting us. This is amazing!’, Said Latrice Taylor from Aspiranet, ‘from the toy drive, the singing and the service, this has been a perfect day.”