San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s workplace is placing its vacation spirit behind the fourth annual San Jose Toy Drive, an effort that’s grown exponentially in a short while and goals to distribute greater than 30,000 toys to households on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds subsequent weekend.
That’s proper. Even the mayor of the largest metropolis in San Jose has been drawn into the orbit of San Jose Foos, the megapopular social media account and civic influencer that has been a part of the toy drive since 2021.
“San Jose Foos is a social media phenomenon,” mentioned Mahan, who recorded an Instagram video with San Jose Foos founder Anthony Gomez in entrance of Metropolis Corridor final month. “We’ve tried to work together and promote good causes in the city, and this is a great initiative I want to be supportive of.”
The hassle may nonetheless use extra toys earlier than the distribution to about 10,000 pre-registered households subsequent weekend. New, unwrapped toys will be dropped off in individual on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds or donors can contribute money or purchase one thing immediately from the San Jose Toy Drive’s Amazon want record. Go to www.sanjosetoydrive.com to seek out out extra.
The San Jose Toy Drive began out fairly small as a collaboration amongst companies in Japantown however received very large in a short while. Sacred Coronary heart Neighborhood Service can also be partnering on the hassle this yr, together with the Fairgrounds, which is donating the usage of its house for the toy distribution for a second yr.
Salene Duarte, co-interim govt director of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Administration Corp., mentioned she’s excited concerning the partnership with Sacred Coronary heart and San Jose Foos.
“It’s heartwarming to see our community come together through the efforts of these incredible influencers and organizations,” she mentioned. “By providing our facilities at no charge, we reaffirm our commitment to connecting essential resources with those in need — a small gesture that can create lasting joy.”
ALL ABOARD: Caltrain’s festive Vacation Prepare will return to convey pleasure alongside the Peninsula and South Bay this weekend. Adorned with greater than 70,000 lights, the Vacation Prepare will make stops at 9 stations from San Francisco to Santa Clara on Saturday and Sunday, making a 20-minute cease at each the place guests can hear onboard carolers and the Salvation Military Christmas Brass Ensemble. Santa and Mrs. Claus will likely be there, too, to greet children and pose for pictures.
Guests are after all inspired to convey a brand new toy or e-book to donate to the Salvation Military and the U.S Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, and there will likely be donation bins at every station. The practice will depart San Francisco every day at 4 p.m., stopping in San Mateo, Redwood Metropolis, Mountain View and Santa Clara on Saturday and Millbrae, Burlingame, Menlo Park and Sunnyvale on Sunday. Go to www.caltrain.com/holidaytrain for the total schedule and different data.
BEAR NECESSITIES: Anticipate a stuffed animal spectacular Saturday at Tech CU Enviornment when the San Jose Barracuda host their annual Teddy Bear Toss sport as they tackle the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Followers are inspired to convey stuffed animals to the sport that will likely be tossed onto the ice after the Barracuda’s first purpose. Simply keep in mind to not convey something too valuable — the stuffies will likely be collected and distributed to children via Kaiser medical facilities. The sport begins at 6 p.m. and you may get tickets at sjbarracuda.com.
THE WRITE STUFF: Marine artist Jim Campbell is publishing his third e-book, “Hold Fast,” an illustrated historical past of sail with practically 100 of his pen and ink drawings. He’ll have a book-signing celebration at an applicable spot: Morgan’s Cove, the pirate-themed venue created by the late Wealthy Firato in Morgan Hill. It runs 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8.
ART AND ABOUT: Olga Enciso Smith’s spent the previous half-century touring and assembly artists and artisans, and South Bay present seekers can get pleasure from the advantages Friday evening as she hosts an exhibition and sale at Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas at Citadel Artwork Studios.
The gadgets embrace handwoven wool shawls, hand-embroidered blouses, scarves, sterling silver earrings and fabric dolls, in addition to watercolor and oil work from Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Southwestern states like Arizona and new Mexico. The sale runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at 199 Martha St. #199 in San Jose.
SEASON’S GREETINGS: Jim Barth, a longtime Los Gatos resident and speedy previous president of the Los Gatos Lions Membership, will function grand marshal within the city’s annual Vacation Parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday. He’ll be capable of lastly match his spouse, Dru Barth, who served as grand marshal again in 1999.
And when you’ve received an “ugly” vacation sweater, you’ll be able to convey it out to Campbell’s Carol of Lights celebration downtown on Saturday. The free occasion, sponsored by the Downtown Campbell Enterprise Affiliation, begins at 4 p.m. and is predicted to incorporate a petting zoo, donkey rides, crafts, facepainting, carolers and different neighborhood performances. Let’s hope the ocean of ugly sweaters don’t scare the donkeys.
