Each year, Pacific Clinics supporters and employees across the state come together to create a joyous holiday season for thousands of children and families, and this year was no exception!
Los Angeles Gift Drive
As a merged agency, our needs increased, and that need was met with tremendous support – this year, the Los Angeles/South Coast Region received over $13,200 in donations, equating to more than 1,500 toys and gifts.
Santa’s Workshop, a time-honored tradition at the Hollygrove campus, allowed for volunteers (aka Santa’s elves) to transform the Hollygrove programs’ bungalow into a historic winter wonderland full of toys. Additionally, in the San Gabriel Valley, the Asian Pacific Family Center celebrated with a Robotic Christmas Extravaganza for children and their families, with robots delivering toys to children.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of many community and corporate partners and volunteers, there was joy and merriment on the faces of many children who would otherwise not have something special for the holidays. We are filled with gratitude for those who made the season extra special: the Los Angeles Board of Governors, the National Charity League and the Hollies volunteers for decorating and wrapping gifts, Baby2Baby, ABC7 Spark of Love Toy Drive, Otis Elevator Company, ANA Trading Corp., National Giving Alliance of Hancock Park, BCG and many others for their generous toy donations, long-time volunteer Joana Rodriguez for coordinating her friends and network to fulfill the annual “Joana’s Wish Lists” for 73 Hollygrove program families this year, and Glen A. Wilson High School for co-hosting the Robotic Christmas Extravaganza.
Bay Area Gift Drive
Meanwhile, in the Bay Area, we raised just under $35,000, supporting more than 1,000 children and 300 families due to generous individual, corporate and organizational donors in the community.
Each month, programs have the opportunity to come together and host a safe and enjoyable event dedicated to the families we serve, aptly called “FUN events”. The season of giving culminated in the December event, a regional team effort where employees worked alongside several community partners to host a holiday party and bike giveaway at the Gish campus in San Jose.
More than 100 families attended, and the day was full of holiday cheer, special balloon designs, arts and crafts, outstanding tacos and face painting. In addition, 63 bicycles were given to children and teens in time for the holidays.
Many thanks to all who participated with such generosity and made this drive a success: Frank Rimerman + Co., Aera Technology, The Butter Paddle Gift Shop/EMQ Auxiliary, Butter Paddle Sustainers, Elaine Herzig & Carolyn’s Kids, Happy Dragon Thrift Shop, Heffernan Insurance Brokers, Hillbrook School, Swenson Foundation, Tabs Family, Mezzetti Law, PwC, Santa Clara University Athletic Department, Sheila Juthani & Friends, Knitzvah, Unicorn Thrift Shop, Veritas, Good Karma Bikes, Cupertino Rotary, Archer Family Foundation, Bay Area Christian Church, Almaden Super Lions, San Jose Water, History Club of Los Gatos and Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association.
Thank You!
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the communities in which we serve, the giving drives combined with all donations we received during the holiday season amounted to more than $124,000 to support children and families recovering from difficult and traumatic circumstances.
On behalf of our every Pacific Clinics employee and board member, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue making a real and lasting difference for the children, teens, families and adults we serve.