December 3, 2004

Making the holidays a little brighter for those in need

Local Evergreen-based toy drives help

The Police Amateur Athletic Foundation (PAAF) and East Valley YMCA have partnered with Wells Fargo Bank in their first-ever local toy drive benefiting underprivileged children enrolled in the YMCA’s after-school enrichment programs in East San Jose.

In this grassroots effort, the organizations have collected $7,000 and purchased 600 gifts to be hand delivered by PAAF volunteers and Santa Claus from Dec. 13 – 17 to the following schools: Goss Elementary, Arbuckle Elementary, Hubbard Elementary, OB Whaley Elementary and School Shields Elementary.

PAAF was founded in 1978 and incorporated in 1980. The goal of this non- profit corporation is to enhance the relationship between police officers and the communities that they serve by facilitating positive interaction, primarily through athletics.

For the last 15 years, PAAF has supported its members in their efforts as community coaches, volunteers and more. PAAF has also donated over half a million dollars to various charities doing work locally, including Wish Upon a Star, YMCA, San Jose Police Activities League (PAL), Special Olympics, Abrazos and Books and the Boys and Girls Club of San Jose (Smythe Clubhouse).

PAAF was also the primary sponsor of the 2004 San Jose Citywide Track Meet.

PAAF funds these efforts by member contribution and money raised through sporting events such as the San Jose Police Officers Memorial Softball Game, featuring San Jose Police Officers competing against local media and professional sports personalities and the annual Charity Golf Classic.

PAAF currently has more than 600 San Jose Police Officers and non-sworn personnel as members. A volunteer board of directors oversees it. Contact Officer Andy Trevino at (408) 277- 4133 for more information.

After-school 21st century program
The YMCA After-School Program is designed as a free after-school comprehensive program for today’s changing society, not only for working families, but also to enrich children’s lives. The program is a combination of homework assistance and recreational, educational and enrichment components that compliment school in a manner that is fun for the child.

A long-term goal of the program is to help the child develop socially through small group work with children of similar age and maturity, while emphasizing each child as an individual.

The After School Program is a collaboration between the East Valley Family YMCA, Alum Rock and Evergreen School District and the city of San Jose, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. It serves 600 families.

How to help
Since many toys have already been purchased, Evergreen residents can mail a check payable to PAAF, P. O. Box 721115, San Jose, CA 95172, indicating that you’d like the donation made to the Toy Drive. Or visit the Web at www.sjpaaf.org. PAAF’s tax ID number is 94-267-8810.

If you’d really prefer to donate a toy, you can go to the East Valley Family YMCA in person at 1975 South White Rd., San Jose, CA 95148 (408) 715-6516 (Attention: Lupe Ruvalcaba, Program Director of the East Valley YMCA).

For more information about the toy drive, contact Ed Barrera by phone (408) 464-1975 or e-mail: edward.c.barrera@wellsfargo.com.

Evergreen Boy and Girl Scouts help Toys for Tots

This year, Evergreen’s Cub Scout Pack 275 will donate all the proceeds of its annual Bake Sale/Auction to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign. In years past, they used this event as a fundraiser for just the pack.

The USMC will be sending a couple of Marines to help with this event as well as to return with the funds raised at Pack 275’s monthly pack meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Norwood Elementary School, 3241 Remington Way, 95148, in the multi-purpose room at the center of the campus. The Marines will also be bringing a barrel or two to transport any toys that may be collected.

If you would like to contribute to this fundraiser, contact Michael Gabler via e-mail at mgabler@earthling.net.
Girl Scouts from the entire Evergreen area (Service Unit 2) are invited to a Toy Drive Carnival at Tom Matsumoto School, 4121 Mackin Woods Lane, on Friday, Dec. 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy and enjoy treats, games and a craft. Contact Lisa Shank via e-mail, kirtlisa@aol.com, for more information.