The recent passing of Christmas saw countless children across America rushing out of bed to tear open the wrapping on their presents as their mothers and fathers stood by, sharing in the enjoyment of watching their children enjoy a morning of joy and abundance. Christmas time is not, however, so fortunate for all children in the United States. All too many of the boys and girls across the nation face a time when they are given a sharp reminder of what others have and they do not. A family with two parents. A safe and happy home life. Certainty of warm meals three times a day, and the delight of seeing presents under the Christmas tree. Fortunately, not all of these children were forced to go without this past Christmas. Among the many children who were not so lucky to have a traditional Christmas morning, there were some who were able to enjoy at least some part of what they should thanks to the charitable contributions and the volunteer spirit of others in the community. This was true in the small community of Parjaro, a town across the river from the city of Watsonville on the Central Coast of California.
On December 17th, staff from the Narconon Redwood Cliffs drug rehab center organized the 5th annual toy drive for families of the Pajaro Valley Women’s Shelter. The event provided a chance to enjoy Christmas cheer for a total of 9 mothers and 21 children ranging from small babies to older boys and girls. All told, the staff of Narconon Redwood Cliffs were able to provide more than 100 gifts to the toy drive beneficiaries, a major outpouring of generosity to families who might otherwise have had little to celebrate for Christmas. Not only were many of them of limited means, but the fact that they were in the shelter meant that they had recently suffered some type of family upset or tragedy. Getting a toy can’t wash away all the problems a child might be facing, but having the opportunity to meet Santa and receive an unexpected gift can make a huge difference in that child’s holidays.
This year Redwood Cliffs worked with a few different organizations to make the event a success including Reach Out WorldWide that was founded by the late Paul Walker, Purist Car Group, and Leapfrog who donated toys to the event.
Narconon Toy Drive for Christmas in Watsonville
The women and children who benefitted from the Narconon Redwood Cliffs Christmas toy drive were also treated to pizza, pastries and soft drinks. Santa came along to the Parjaro Valley Women’s Shelter to meet the children and take photos with them. He also passed out personalized presents to each of the children, while the parents and volunteers looked on with joy to see the children’s delighted faces. The staff of Narconon Redwood Cliffs were more than happy to lend their efforts to putting on the toy drive, knowing full well what a major impact it can have on the lives of the children who receive the gifts. Furthermore, it lines up directly with their own goal of reducing the effect of drug and alcohol abuse in the community. Many of the women and children who end up in the Parjaro shelter are there because they need refuge from a husband or boyfriend with a substance abuse problem. The children and spouse of a drug addict are often the ones who suffer the most. Very often, a person who is progressing through the Narconon drug rehabilitation program has to come to terms with the fact that he or she has made life difficult for family members, and will take actions to make amends in order to repair the trust and love in the relationship. The Narconon Redwood Cliffs holiday toy drive represents one more example of how committed the staff of that organization are to improving the lives of people in the community and making it a happier place for everyone to live.
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