Every December, Carlsbad locals bring carloads of toys to the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) Village Clubhouse for the Stuff the Bus Holiday Toy Drive. The toys are given to BGC youth members who may not receive any other gifts throughout the year. The drive took place from Nov.-Dec. 16, but donations are welcome throughout the year.
The organization looks for unused toys to be dropped off at the Village Clubhouse on 3115 Roosevelt St. The BGC appreciates a wide variety of gift donations as they’re given to kids between the ages of six and 15.
“You can donate literally anything,” BGC Coordinator Jade Anderson said. “Nerf guns and Legos are the main things, also remote-controlled cars.”
The toy drive is particularly special for the kids receiving the gifts as they are told that Santa is bringing the gifts to them. The event is widely appreciated by both kids and employees for the communities contributions, making it a significant event for all involved.
“I cry every year, I get so emotional, whenever the kids get the gifts they’re so excited,” Anderson said. “I just love the joy on their faces.”
As implied by the name, the “Stuff the Bus” drive has an annual goal to fill an entire school bus full of gifts. Beginning with a small donation box, this years drive has succeeded this objective.
“We’ve done it for years, even during Covid we still did it,” Anderson said. “It started by just wanting to give back to the kids, and hopefully in the future we’ll [receive] enough to fill a giant semi[truck]!”
The turnout and scale of the drive has escalated each year and is expected to keep growing as more people are made aware of it. Playing an annual role in the local unity, the event strongly encourages community involvement.
“Last year it was super successful, we had so many different people donate,” Anderson said. “It was insane, the amount of things people would bring, and we would get all these cool things like bikes, scooters and even e-bikes,”
Because the BGC community is so tightly bonded, it is often easy for them to choose personalized gifts for the kids. Anderson shares one of her memorable and special experiences from past holiday toy drives.
“Two years ago I had these two kids in my group that were best friends,” Anderson said. “I picked the same gift for both of them and when they opened it, they were like, ‘Oh my gosh, Santa got us the same thing!’ It was the greatest moment ever.”
The BGC toy drive continues striving to get everyone in the holiday spirit, from donors and employees to the kids most of all. For those who are able, the drive is an impactful way to give back to those less fortunate within the Carlsbad community.
“The kids are so hyped because Santa got [the gifts] for them,” Anderson said. “ It just keeps the magic alive.”