The Hanukkah toy drive is the brainchild of event chairman and 30 Years After board member Sara Sarshar. “There was no (organized) way, in our community, available for us to give. On Saturday night, you are going to be out anyway – so why not bring a toy for kids?â€
Each year 30 Years After members bring 5-800 toys for needy children. The next day, these toys are wrapped and hand-delivered with love to special needs kids at Friendship Circle so that the children will have toys for Hanukkah. Enough toys are gathered, says Sarshar, “that, we have been able to match the kids with the toys on their lists! So far, every child has received exactly the toy that was on his or her list.†There are enough toys to benefit the siblings as well. Surplus toys are taken anonymously to families in ne
ed and to other charitable organizations of any faith.
Friendship Circle is a non-profit organization that provides support services and encouragement for families and their children with special needs, providing social activities and events that often elude such children.
Organizers of the event call themselves “Sammy’s Little Helpers.†“Sammy†is a reference to 30 Years After founder, Sam Yebri, attorney and frequent contributor to the Jewish Journal.
“It is great to be getting together as a community and giving back,†said Sarshar. “We have the energy and the time at this point in our lives. Why not go out and help?†With the help of 30 Years After it will be a happy holiday for all!
