Diving head first into its 39th year, The Imperial Court de San Diego has launched its Toys for Kids holiday drive. The drive encourages the community to donate an unwrapped toy or a monetary donation, which will benefit families across San Diego County and Tijuana. In a continued effort to support diverse family units, last year’s holiday drive successfully provided over 1,000 families with much needed food, gifts and blankets for the holiday season.
The Imperial Court’s annual Toys for Kids drive, the oldest holiday toy drive of the LGBT community, was established in 1974 after the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation refused to accept donations from the homosexual community. From the time of its inception, the Toys for Kids program has brought holiday cheer to thousands of children throughout San Diego County and Mexico.
“Since 1974, The Imperial Court de San Diego held the Toys for Kids drive in an effort to provide gifts to local children who fall below the poverty line” says Toys for Kids founder City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez
This year The Imperial Court de San Diego is distributing toys to a minimum of six organizations including; Family Matters, Barrio Station and Florence Elementary School.
Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the following locations:
The LGBT Community Center, 3909 Normal Street in Hillcrest
Redwing Bar & Grill, 4012 30th Street in North Park
Haircut Boulevard, 1050 University Ave. located in The HUB near Ralphs
The Eagle, 3040 North Park Way in North Park
Lips, 3036 El Cajon Boulevard in North Park
Monetary or gift card donations can be arranged by contacting Emperor Robert Rodriguez (619) 817-9926 or Empress Pearl (619) 737-7326.
