TOYS FOR JOY | LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

This year wasn’t going to be much of a Christmas for Jenny Gonzalez. The reason? Because, as she explained with a shrug, “I’m a single mom of three.”

Then a friend told her about Toys for Joy.

She was amazed to hear that the 18th annual Toys for Joy, sponsored by Rock Church, provides free lunch, clothing, groceries, services and activities for families, as well as a brand new toy to each child in attendance. Held at Abraham Lincoln High and Porter Elementary schools, the event joins local churches, community partners, and generous donors and sponsors to provide holiday fun for families who may not otherwise enjoy the season.

“If you want to know what Rock Church is about, it’s about today,” said Miles McPherson, senior pastor of Rock Church, indicating the thousands of volunteers of every age and color, serving in unity. “This is all Jesus wants, that they would all be one and people would experience the love of God."

»» Read the entire story from our Lincoln High School Toys for Joy location here!

TOYS FOR JOY | SAN MARCOS MIDDLE SCHOOL

The woman put her hands out, made fists, and quickly moved them up and down, one after another.

“Oh, a drum?” asked Jessica Yaffa, the volunteer who was manning the massive toy table.
The woman nodded that Jessica had understood her correctly.
“OK,” Jessica responded. “I’m sure we have a drum here somewhere.” Jessica alerted the handful of volunteers near her, including her son, and they sprang into action to locate a drum for the deaf guest who hoped to give it to her toddler son so they could create a way to communicate with each other.

The volunteers searched anxiously among the thousands of toys donated to Rock Church’s 18th Annual Toys for Joy event that seeks to spread the love of Christ by showering guests with a free lunch, clothing, groceries, services, games with the entire family, and a toy to every child in attendance. But they seemed unable to find one.

»» Read the entire story from our North County Toys for Joy here!

TOYS FOR JOY | EL CAJON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Sunshine prevailed for over 3,800 residents of East County who waited in line for the chance to take part in Rock Church East County’s first Toys for Joy event on Saturday, December 13 at El Cajon Valley High School. The bright sunshine outside, however, could not match the intensity of the smiles inside the Toy Room as families entered the doors. Children walking into the room were in awe of the number and variety of toys that were stacked four to five rows high in some areas of the gym. Over 5,200 toys were collected for the East County event.

Wanda Drummond brought her 22-month old son, Jhiell, to the event. Jhiell picked a soft, cuddly baby doll, and a small football. Drummond, an El Cajon resident, found out about the event through a flyer left on her door. “This is exciting. It’s free, so I figured why not come out to the event.”

»» Read the entire story from our East County Toys for Joy here!